I’m a senior in hs and my SAT score is low. I mean low, low, and I’m in IB, I’ve taken AP classes, and Aice classes, as well even dull enrollment classes.
My SAT score has dropped from 1080 to 1000. I just cancelled my SAT for September 13th because I am not ready whatsoever. I plan on taking the next one on October 4th as well as the ACT in October, but I can’t help but feel pathetic. My mom is furious that I cancelled my SAT, but I feel relieved.
I have a friend who scores higher than I by light-years every time on the SAT, and they know this because they always ask me my score. I say I don’t want ot tell them, they push me into telling them, and say, “Have you been studying?”. I feel like they always ask me to confirm with them that they did better than me because they’ll ask me multiple times in the same week.
I want to apply to UCF, UF, and USF; however, my SAT score is really taking a toll on me.
My stats are: Cumulative GPA: 3.18, Class Rank 69/46, and Cumulative Weighted GPA 4.25
Is there hope for me? I plan on doing early decisions, and if I get deferred, I will apply with my later SAT scores if they are even high enough. I am disappointed in myself and need to do significantly better.
Why? There is no reason for you to do Early Decision.
At this point, I would suggest you start looking for colleges that are test optional or test blind. At these colleges, your SAT score is not considered for admission.
And free advice…stop talking to your friends about everything related to college, college applications, SAT scores, and the like. If anyone asks…just say “I’m working on my applications and look forward to telling you what I will be doing after high school once I know”. And stick to that. Repeat if necessary. If pushed, excuse yourself from threatened situation and walk away. There is NO a reason why anyone of your friends or relatives (beside your parents) need to know your SAT scores. It’s none of their business. And stop comparing yourself to others.
So some people don’t do well on standardized tests. Some students really need a tutor since studying just doesn’t do it for them. Sometimes the test is just too fast.
It’s September. At this point it’s almost a hail Mary on the Sat. Some evaluation companies will give you like parts of the Act /Sat on a weekend to see which tests work for you. I know many that bombed the Sat but did well on the Act. But to improve you almost need to take real practice tests like weekly.
But I wouldn’t keep taking the Sat. It’s just not your thing.
As stated many good schools that you don’t need to submit scores to. This is really your best choice.
As far as your friend keep asking you about your score. That’s not a friend. A friend when they find out your struggling would be willing to study with you and help you if they could.
Really evaluate schools that you can get into with your uweighted GPA. The IB program is challenging. It’s supposed to be.
You’re looking for a school that is a good fit. The name is not that important. You getting the most out of college is.
Your weighted and unweighted GPA shows that you are really challenging yourself in high school, and that is a big plus in college admissions. Do not focus on your SAT score. If it’s taking a lot of time and stress to prepare for the SAT, I’d say maybe give it another try in October and then leave it at that. So many schools will be thrilled to admit you with the SAT score you already have or with no test score at all. You just need to find a couple of schools that you like to which you would be a likely admit.
If your family is willing to take you on some campus tours, I highly recommend visiting some likely/safety schools until you find one that you’d be happy at. You will be surprised when spring rolls around how many students end up enrolling their “safety” schools and then end up loving it there. Your application is so much more than your test score. Focus on the parts of your apps that you are proud of (like your killer GPA!) and find some schools that will love to welcome you next fall!!
Even without test scores, UCF, UF, and USF are not happening with a 3.18 so apply to rest optional colleges where Bs in a highly rigorous curriculum will be much favored. Private universities with solid academics will value IB/AICE/DE courses and won’t necessarily require test scores even for scholarships.
All FL public universities will require test scores, so switch gears quickly and you’ll be 100% fine .
In Florida, look into Eckerd (solid match) and Stetson (likely)
Rollins, a reach (they mostly admit students in the 3.5-4.0 range) does say
Candidates selecting this option (Test optional) are evaluated holistically, with special emphasis on academic performance, rigor of curriculum, leadership and motivation.
A bit further away, Oglethorpe, in Atlanta, has a flagship tuition match program meaning you wouldn’t pay more than at UF/FSU and you’d get all the benefits of a private college!
All of these have EA, typical Nov 15. In the meantime, add them to your CommonApp dashboard, apply to their honors program, and, most importantly, demonstrate interest: join their mailing list and click on everything they send you (they track that). You got this.
We don’t know anything about you and what your interests are, whether you have extracurriculars and so on. If you go test optional it will be about other things, obviously. (Your class rank is unclear…). There are loads of schools that will be glad to accept you. We don’t know if finances are a challenge but some schools might give you aid. Please don’t rely on test scores for your view of yourself!!
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You got this.