retaking the SAT

<p>I’m not exactly non-traditional. I would be about a year (maybe two) older than most other junior transfers, but I’m confused as to where I would post this.</p>

<p>When I took the SAT in HS I received a 2110 M=700 W=700 CR=710</p>

<p>However, at the time I was floating between a 2.9 GPA and a 3.3 GPA. The SATs sort of came as a surprise, I was expecting to do poorly. In addition to that, I never took the ACT or any SAT II. At the time I was under the impression that I would take one year off and then go to art school, despite my profound lack of visual artistic talent. (Sigh.)</p>

<p>I started going to CC in spring 2010. Now my CC GPA is a 4.0, I’m taking honors classes whenever possible, and generally not sleeping. Last semester I was editor of the CC newspaper, I began hosting/curating a community outreach forum which has so far resulted in recognition in local media, I am also a regular contributor to a local opinions radio program, as well as an above-average tennis player.</p>

<p>I am an anthropology major, and I am hoping to get into broadcast journalism, so I will possibly segue into communications for my graduate degree. Accordingly, I mostly chose schools with strong communications programs.</p>

<p>The schools I’d like to transfer to are as follows:</p>

<p>Northwestern - Weinberg (Anth) (I know this is a far reach)</p>

<p>U of Michigan at Ann Arbor - LSA (Anth or American Culture…? Maybe I’ll save this question for another thread)</p>

<p>NYU - CAS (Anth - and I’m intrigued by the Steinheart college as well)</p>

<p>U of Illinois Urbana-Champaign - College of LAS (Anth)</p>

<p>Lewis & Clark College - CAS (Soc/Anth, this school also has an intriguing English program)</p>

<p>Boston University - CAS (Anth)</p>

<p>Here’s my question: what would the benefits be if I retake the SAT? Aim for 2200 (well, something close to it…) I think I might be able to top my old score (with a lot of studying) considering how little effort I put into it on the first go. It might make it more comfortable for me to transfer considering my disappointing HS record. Furthermore, should I take the ACT as well? SAT II’s? What should I shoot for with ACT?</p>

<p>Also, I was told that a strong essay could make all the difference from an CC to NYU transfer. I’m fairly confident in my ability to write a good admissions essay, but will this hold true for all colleges?</p>

<p>I am in the same boat as you (2190 in HS) and toying with the idea of retaking the SATs for transfering. </p>

<p>From what I have read on college confidential and college sites so far, it seems that it is unnecessary to retake the SAT and in some cases, colleges will not accept those scores. However, it can’t hurt to retake them except for the time that you would waste studying for the exam that you could spend perfecting your essays, building up your extracurriculars, etc. </p>

<p>So if you don’t mind studying, you have extra time (over winter break maybe?), and you are confident that you can get a significantly better score, I’d say why not?</p>