<p>Mmk, so I REALLY want to go to Duke! I’m planning on applying early decision next year (for Class of 2015) and I’m currently weighing out my options on what tests I should be preparing for. I’ve been studying for the SAT for a while and everything, doing the blue book/SAT online course, so I’m pretty much used to the test now a little. The problem is that I don’t think I’ll be able to complete two SAT 2’s by next year. Financial issues will not give me the opportunity to take them…but I’m not sure if I just wanna scrap the SAT and just do the ACT with writing because I have NO IDEA what’s on the ACT or what to expect and I feel like starting to study now is just so incredibly late…will it MAJORLY hurt me if I apply ED without 2 SAT 2’s but a good SAT score? I mean I’m taking like 7 IB exams so can’t those be used for placement?</p>
<p>you’re required to have 2 SAT 2’s, from what i understand. for that reason, trying to apply ED without SAT 2’s is like trying to apply ED without teacher recs or something - your application simply won’t be reviewed because it’ll be listed as incomplete. however, if it’s for financial reasons, will collegeboard waive the fee? i know for APs they do that sometimes… also, the ACT is often easier than the SAT (i definitely got a much higher score on it), so i recommend you go get an ACT book and look through it. i know it feels like you already studied for the SAT and you’re wasting that, but if you absolutely can’t afford SAT 2s, this may be your only option.</p>
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<p>Actually, IIRC, you can substitute the ACT in lieu of the required SAT + SAT Subject Tests. In that case, the ACT by itself is a feasible option.</p>
<p>To the OP, try contacting the CB/ACT people and try and set up a fee wavier. I’m sure it’s possible.</p>
<p>What is a fee waiver?</p>
<p>This should help. [SAT</a> Fee Waivers](<a href=“College Board - SAT, AP, College Search and Admission Tools”>SAT Fee Waivers – SAT Suite | College Board)
<a href=“http://www.act.org/aap/pdf/feewaiver.pdf[/url]”>http://www.act.org/aap/pdf/feewaiver.pdf</a></p>
<p>And the ACT does not require as much as the SAT in terms of preparation, imo.</p>
<p>it is not at all too late to do the ACT review…it is a straightforward, not tricky exam that rewards stamina and completing sections. However, the strategies you need are different so read up a bit on how they count things you skip or get wrong. My son prepped for the ACT like two Sunday afternoons…he tried much harder on the SAT home prep but his ACT was still way higher …other son…the scores were equivalent. When this much is at stake you must realize that there are scores of other students with financial issues who will do the paperwork to get fee waivers for everything…including the 75 bucks it costs to apply at many institutions…so you have to get your fee waiver to compete on even ground. The SATIIs can be studied for also in one good afternoon if you do the review books. Many are for sale in Ebay…and such places used. Most of my kids’ review books were bought used online…</p>
<p>good luck with your college dreams…one of my sons got into Duke based on test score he got in October senior year…you are NOT behind one bit. another son sent in an improved SATII score in January to all his colleges after the deadlines…some of them considered that OK, others…who knows if they looked or not…</p>
<p>apply to safety as well as reach colleges…none of the local valedictorians got into Duke in recent years locally…many deserving students will not get into Duke…it is entirely unpredictable…so make sure to love your match college and to find some excellent match colleges financially and academically.</p>
<p>^ Thanks! 10char</p>
<p>My advice will be similar. You can always prep for the ACT, the time spent on preparing for the SAT will help a lot with the ACT. ACT is also more straightforward so there isn’t any very tricky or ambiguous CR or Math problems. With that said, if you want to prepare for the ACT you will have to work on time management, most ACT questions will actually test how fast you can comprehend the questions and fill in the bubbles; you will rarely get the luxury of pondering over a question for more than a minute.</p>