<p>Lend me your ears (and advice), CC. </p>
<p>I have thrice taken the ACT; I have twice taken the SAT. </p>
<p>My scores have been, how shall we say, decent? A 28 for the ACT and a 2040 for the SAT. </p>
<p>When I took the ACT cold, I got a 26 (Yikes!). Timing has never been on my side. The second and third sittings I received a 28. Superscored, I have a 29. When I took the SAT cold, I received a 1980. I broke 2000+ on my second try. I’m more suited to the SAT (in any case, I prefer it vastly). With that said, if I were to retake either the SAT or the ACT, I’d take the SAT. </p>
<p>Yes, my composite scores are not up to CC standards; that doesn’t concern me. I have a 4.0 UW GPA (and, from years of no sleep and no social life, I’m hardly of the opinion that my grades are inflated), decent ECs, and excellent essays. I’m not applying to the Ivies; a 2300-2400 score is not my goal.
I would, though, like a 2100-2200. Why? It’s because I’m falling short of top (automatic) merit scholarships, which I absolutely need to attend the schools I like. </p>
<p>I know why I’ve done poorly. The closest I have ever come to test prep is a one night cram session and the experience from prior tests (and, as it would seem, winging tests is just not my specialty). I didn’t put forth the effort to learn from my mistakes. The SAT score I suffer from is math (570). My CR score is where it ought to be (700) and my writing score is competitive (770). </p>
<p>I’m prepared to study for math (and, if time permits, I’m prepared to increase my CR score). With the school year at a tolerable point and my college applications completed, I have the time and the last-minute-or-else-you’re-going-to-your-last-choice-school-because-it’s-the-only-school-that-is-financially-plausible will to devote February to my least favorite subject. </p>
<p>This is the problem: Presuming I took the March 10th SAT, and presuming I’m admitted, would there be enough time for my RD schools (who are to notify me by April 1st) to reevaluate my application for merit aid (if I perform substantially better than a 2040, of course)? </p>
<p>If so, I’m quite ready to register tomorrow. </p>
<p>Opinions? Thank you!</p>