Low SAT/ACT scores, should I worry?

Test Preparation
1

<p>Last year, I’ve taken both tests the first time and got a 20 Composite and a 1320 SAT score. This semester, I’ve studied as hard and best as I could and gotten the same ACT score, as well as scoring 70 more points on the SAT. </p>

<p>Those were my last chances to take the test, and I’m worried that my super low scores could ultimately ruin my applications to UC and CSU schools. Am I screwed? I would like to get into the best possible school for Engineering and/or Computer Science.</p>

<p>GPA: 4.05 W (UC/CSU GPA), 3.83 UW</p>

<p>ACT (20 Composite: 20 English, 15 Math, 19 Reading, 27 Science, 21 Writing)</p>

<p>ACT (19 Composite: 18 Eng, 16 Math, 20 Reading, 21 Science, 19 Writing)</p>

<p>ACT (20 Composite: 21 English, 20 Math, 19 Reading, 18 Science, 21 Writing)</p>

<p>SAT (1320: 400 CR, 450 M, 470 Writing)</p>

<p>SAT (1390: 460 CR, 480 M, 450 Writing)</p>

<p>SAT II Math Lv 2 (460)</p>

<p>Schools:</p>

<p>UC Berkeley (Obviously no chance): Computer Science L&S</p>

<p>UC Davis (Electrical Engineering)</p>

<p>UC Irvine (Electrical)</p>

<p>UC Merced (Compuer Engineering)</p>

<p>UC Santa Cruz (Robotics Engineering)</p>

<p>Cal Poly SLO (Electrical)</p>

2

<p>Any advice here? Should I take the Community College route? Should I wait for replies from the schools?</p>

3

<p>A lot of those schools are GPA orientated so it wouldn’t hurt to try, but u should seriously consider the CC route</p>

4

<p>I don’t know what I should do for engineering if I have limited choices. Should I take the lesser known UCs like Merced or Santa Cruz, or should I just go to the CC route and then transfer to good schools like Cal or MIT?</p>

5

<p>It will be really hard to transfer into those privates from a CC, unless you do something special or have a really good reason. I believe the UCs have a TAG program which would definitely be a good option, I would recommend looking into it.</p>

6

<p>Why do you think you want to pursue engineering or computer science? I sense a terrific struggle coming with these subjects, given your math ACT/SAT scores.</p>

7

<p>DO NOT enroll in a CC if you want to end up at one of those privates. Apply to a few “average” schools (there ARE some you can still apply to - trust me on this one) and see if you can transfer.</p>

8

<p>ur unweighted gpa isn’t that bad, didn’t u consider taking classes or self study? I have lower gpa than u, but signif. higher scores… due to classes…</p>

9

<p>I had a lot of personal/family issues going on, such as my grandma going to the ER with me and my parents taking care of her. Although I’ve had the time between summer and December, it went by fast, ending me with little to no time for review and practice. Without a doubt, I would’ve had at least a more than average test score if I had the opportunity to practice.</p>

<p>I would like to pursue engineering/computer science because I like to see how things work and how they are constructed. I find it interesting to solve problems and diagnose using math and science, and it happens everyday. I wouldn’t want to be denied of this opportunity because of how well I did on a Saturday morning. Believe it or not, I can accomplish things when I put my mind to it, which led me to my good GPA during my 4 years. Unfortunately, my test scores did not reflect my best efforts due to the given circumstances these past two years.</p>

<p>Which brings me to this point. Would it help if I emailed my situation to every admissions office to every school I’ve applied to? Or would it be too late?</p>

10

<p>Plus, timing was a main factor that prevented me from doing well on the tests. Obviously, I needed to practice in order to effectively use my time wisely, but I had limited time to practice in the first place.</p>

11

<p>What year are you? I think you should apply to CSU’s and UC’s if application fees are not an issue, but keep in mind most UC kids will have take,n AP’s and honors classes, and most engineering students will have taken pre calc, and maybe calc, and done okay on math 2 subject tests. Is there a way to take a mock place met test at the schools you are interested in? Might help to factor in needing to plan for “'remedial” classes, whether at a cc, csu or uc.</p>

12

<p>

Not trying to deny you the opportunity to try for engineering degrees, however, I teach this stuff and have seen the struggle students have if they are ill-prepared. Your protestations aside, what I see is that you are going to have a tough time. </p>

<p>Does that mean it’s not possible? Not at all. What it means is that you have to take a realistic path and fix the background issues before you get launched off an academic cliff. Denial is not your friend right now. The best place to do that is at a community college. Go there, work hard and get good grades (and no excuses about not having time), and then transfer to finish if you still want to be on the same path.</p>

13

<p>I feel very unprepared for the things ahead of me in general, and I’m really considering what you’ve said about community college. Is it too late to apply for it? And are there any suggested CCs near the Bay Area for prospective UC transfer students?</p>

<p>It’s not just SAT/ACT scores that hold me back, but my school in general. I attend a school that was recently established in 2004, and the curriculum lacked rigorous math and science courses. Highest math class was Pre-calculus and highest science class was AP Environmental Science. Although I have 4 years of math and 3 years of science. No AP classes were offered for math, and both Physics and Chemistry were not offered for my class as well. I did take an Integrated Science class in 9th grade, but it only briefly reviewed Physics and Chemistry. </p>

<p>All in all, I believe my school failed to prepare me for the engineering/computer science world, and I should have attended a better high school.</p>

14

<p>The problem is that your test scores and grades are at a serious mismatch. Those scores will hurt you at the schools you’ve listed.</p>

<p>Google “20 great colleges for students with low test scores” for a list of schools that are either test optional or don’t require testing from students with high GPAs., among them Texas A & M, Holy Cross, UT Austin and Wake Forest.</p>

<p>I would agree that your scores herald a struggle as an engineering or CS major, so if I were you I’d have a backup plan.</p>

15

<p>Is it too late to apply to these kinds of colleges? There might be a college like that for me, but I don’t know if I should take the CC route.</p>

16

<p>Get online right now. See which of these schools offer engineering or CS and don’t have difficult supplements to the common app. You still have a few hours. Go for it. As long as your materials are in on time most schools are understanding if materials from the school lag by a few days and some schools have deadlines later than Jan1. I’d particularly recommend schools that don’t require you to apply directly to the engineering or CS program. That way you could sample classes from these disciplines without being locked in.</p>

<p>For a full list of test optional schools see fair test.org.</p>

17

<p>Many community colleges are such that you just go there and register for courses whenever registration opens up. Don’t know much about California, but you should look into their sites online.</p>

18

<p>In the Bay area I like Diablo Valley, but getting classes is no slam dunk. Or local CC had to cancel summer school, and my son was unable to get classes he wanted last summer.</p>

19

<p>Diablo Valley is A BIG feeder to UCLA and UCB</p>

20

<p>You got a higher science score then I did on on of my tests. The composite was 28 with a 26 science.</p>