<p>Hello I am a high school junior and SUNY Buffalo is my top choice right now. I was wondering if applying as early decision would increase the chance of getting into this school because my SAT school is actually at the low percentile of UB’s accepted students’ stat. I have a 610 in math but only 470 for reading which I took last November. I am taking the SAT again this coming October and hoping to seriously increase that reading score. If I wait until October to take the SAT would I still be in time for the early decision? I’m still hesitating if I should do the early decision though.</p>
<p>Generally speaking, acceptance rates at colleges are higher for Early Decision. The UB acceptance rate for ED is about 10 percentage points higher than regular admission. Does this mean that its easier to get in via ED? Not necessarily. It may simply be that ED applicants are better qualified and more intent on gaining admission, and therefore are accepted at a higher rate. But the general thought is that it wont hurt your chances, and by expressing your desire and focus, it probably will help.</p>
<p>The more important question is whether you feel committed to UB, because if you are accepted ED, you cant change your mind and go elsewhere. If youre positive UB is for you academically, financially, location, etc., then ED makes sense. If not, then you are better doing regular decision. UB starts to send out regular decisions in February, so you would still know relatively early whether you made it.</p>
<p>If you are looking to get into the engineering school, you would probably need a 1200 for a fall of 2014 admission, but for other majors a 1080 may not be a deal-killer. That said, it would certainly help to improve upon the 470. UB weights most of its decisions on the numbers: GPA and standardized test scores.</p>
<p>Give yourself the best chance by preparing well. Get a review book (they arent much - $15 or so). If you can afford a review class, it often (though not always) helps. The test prep companies can be expensive, but check with your high school or local community college for a cheaper alternative. Your math score may improve as well. The fact that you are taking it a second time, after another year of high school, ought to help also.</p>
<p>The October test is on the 5th. Scores are available to you online after 19 days, which puts it out to the 24th. You would need to send your scores to UB immediately. The College Board says it takes a week or so to get the scores to the college, though it usually only takes a few days. It wouldnt hurt to notify admissions once youve sent them so they know theyre coming soon. So yes, you could take the October 5 SAT and get your scores in by the November 1 deadline. Just make sure the rest of your app is ready to go.</p>
<p>Best of luck.</p>
<p>Wow~ thanks for all these information! I am aiming to get into the pharmacy program (a major reason why I want to go to UB) so I really want my SAT score to improve. The thing with the reading section is that English is not my first language and I keep zooming out while reading. It’s so sad, I hope I can get enough prep this summer and tackle it in October.</p>