Low SAT scores... where should I apply?

College Search & Lists
1

<p>I have a 4.0 GPA (unweighted) with all honors classes at the moment. However, I have a bit of a learning disability when it comes to math/science, and while I can do it easily in the classroom, on a timed test I do poorly. So my SAT scores look like this:</p>

<p>CR: 700
W: 650
M: 480</p>

<p>Which blows…</p>

<p>I am going to try and take it again in the fall, but I don’t expect a significant increase in my math score. Other than colleges that have an SAT option, where can I look at to apply? I’m looking at some rolling admission schools as well, such as Albion and Elon.</p>

2

<p>Dude, those are not bad scores at all.</p>

<p>Scores also tend to be overrated in the importance they play in college admissions… if Harvard wanted to, it could easily engineer a student body with a much higher SAT midrange than it has now, and yet it doesn’t. Your other scores are strong, your academic record proves that you’ve done well in high school, and if you have an LD that’s even more of a reason for the math score to be inaccurate.</p>

<p>Apply where you want to (Reed, Bates(?), Sarah Lawrence are all SAT optional) and don’t limit yourself. Make sure you have safeties that you like. And you’re all set to go.</p>

3

<p>Don’t worry. Just explain your situation in an extra essay or something. One of my friends goes to Bryn Mwar and guess what? She got (I believe) the same SAT scores (out of 1600). Her math was the same at least, I’m sure of that. In addition, she didn’t have a 4.0 so I bet you can still get into a good school.</p>

4

<p>Reed requires either the SAT or ACT. Fewer than 1% of freshmen entering last fall had a math score that low, but you could be one of those few with your superb GPA and course rigor. Consider St. John’s with rolling admissions.</p>

5

<p>Try the ACT. Some people do better on it because it tests content differently. As long as you don’t intend to go into engineering you should be competitive. :)</p>

6

<p>No reason to worry. Some of the top LACs in the country do not require the SAT/ACTs. i.e. Middlebury, Bowdoin, and Bates.</p>

<p><a href=“27 Top Colleges Don't Require the SAT or ACT - ABC News”>http://abcnews.go.com/US/story?id=2540225&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

7

<p><a href=“http://www.fairtest.org%5B/url%5D”>www.fairtest.org</a></p>

8

<p>yup, I thought ACT was easier…</p>

<p>I got a 31 ACT vs a 1920 SAT.</p>

9

<p>If you have a learning disability, you are probably eligible for extra time on the SAT…I would definitely look into getting extra time for the October SAT. You certainly have time to make arrangements over the summer.</p>

<p>I would also recommend taking the ACT…but bear in mind that certain schools prefer the SAT.</p>

<p>Also, your SAT is NOT bad…your verbal and CR are way above average…and your total still puts you in the top 20% or so high-schoolers. What state do you live in? Elon is an excellent school.</p>

10

<p>Your scores are not nearly as low as they may appear to be after spending time at CC. There are a couple thousand schools you can get into. I am not recommending this school, but this student profile from the SUNY College at Buffalo (Buffalo State) web-site might help put your scores in a more realistic context:</p>

<p>General Admitted Student Profile (Fall 2006)
High School Average (Middle 50%)
83.1 - 89.2 (on a 100 point scale)</p>

<p>SAT I - Verbal/Critical Reading and Math Combined (Middle 50%)
900-1090</p>

<p>ACT (Middle 50%)
19-23</p>

<p>Honors Admitted Student Profile (Fall 2006)
High School Average (Middle 50%)
91.9 – 95.5 </p>

<p>SAT I - Verbal/Critical Reading and Math Combined (Middle 50%)
1120 – 1280</p>

<p>ACT (Middle 50%)
24 – 30</p>

<p>EOP Admitted Student Profile (Fall 2006)
High School Average (Middle 50%)
77.6 – 82.5</p>

<p>SAT I - Verbal/Critical Reading and Math Combined (Middle 50%)
710 – 910 </p>

<p>ACT (Middle 50%)
15 – 18</p>

<p>STAR Admitted Student Profile (Fall 2006)
High School Average (Middle 50%)
79.9 – 83.4</p>

<p>SAT I - Verbal/Critical Reading and Math Combined (Middle 50%)
820 – 940 </p>

<p>ACT (Middle 50%)
16 – 19</p>

<p>Buffalo State may not be a Top 100 school, but neither is it a Bottom 100 college. You may not be on your way to Harvard or MIT, but you have many, many choices open to you.</p>

11

<p>Search online for SAT optional schools.</p>

<p>Also, try the ACT–some people do a lot better.</p>

<p>EDIT: i just realized someone else told you to try the act. oh well</p>

12

<p>is Middlebury really SAT optional? hm</p>

13

<p>Middlebury is SAT I optional, but you must submit standardized test scores (either SAT I, 3 SAT IIs, or ACT).</p>

14

<p>Thanks for all of the information guys. I will definitely look into taking the ACT. </p>

<p>greenface: I’m not eligable for extra time, they are unable to clearly diagnose what it is that I have, and it is quite slight. I am fine with homework and stuff, but I struggle with testing. It seems to be somewhat hereditary, as my father is the same way, and my sister is severly LD. </p>

<p>I am in Virginia. Considered UVA (they said they would most likely take me) but we live in the same town, and I have my whole life so I would rather “get the heck out of dodge” so to speak.</p>

15

<p>I would highly advise taking three non math/science-related SAT2s and applying to Bowdoin, Middlebury, and Bates.</p>

16

<p>True…but luck for you, you have an in-state advantage at a top 25 university with UVA. Not a bad option…</p>