<p>You are talking about low scores that are low in terms of Ivy standards, correct? (i.e 1800-1900s scores and not actual low 1200s scores.)</p>
<p>Low scores don’t necessarily indicate someone is from a low income family, I think most colleges in the USA get that. Adcoms for all Ivys don’t know your family income background when considering your admission since they are need-blind, so they can’t automatically assume everyone with a low SAT score is low income. Schools like Ivys that have tons of money are more concerned with the person being a good overall student rather than being rich and having a super high SAT score.</p>
<p>However I definitely agree with amarkov, being low income definitely doesn’t give an excuse for a person to have a very low SAT score. If you are naturally intelligent or good at studying, then you would most likely be able to prep for the SATs adequately with just prep books and find yourself free SAT sessions offered at schools, libraries or the local community; you wouldn’t need to take intensive & expensive $2,000 SAT classes.</p>
<p>I’m from a low-income family, had a 1900s score, have decent extracurricularss & good GPA, and got into Penn. But I know a number of friends who are definitely not low income and had scores in the 1800s range who got into Penn as well.</p>