So here is my situation. I have 1210 out of 1600 on my SAT( I took it once), a 3.9 GPA, and only taken one AP class, however, did not take the AP test because I was too scared to take the exam. I graduated in January of 2017, a semester early from my high school. I have admissions from mediocre schools( the University of Utah and University of Buffalo SUNY.) A friend of my suggested that I study for the SAT and perfect my score. Sounds like a good idea. For me to do this, it would mean to wait another whole school year and start college in the fall of 2018 rather than fall of 2017.
My question is should I wait another year and take the SAT all over again. I am 17 and these past years are just a fraction of my life. I am lost.
I have also applied to University of California, Berkley, Los Angeles, Irvine, Santa Barbara, and Santa Cruz. I have also applied to my home state SUNY and CUNY school. SUNY include Buffalo, Binghamton, Stony Brook, and ESF(waitlisted.) I have also applied to UPenn, however, hoping for the best, prepared for the worst.
Wait to see if you get into any of the schools you applied. Personally, waiting a year simply to retake the SAT is not something I would do. You would forget a lot of material which is crucial for certain majors. Not to be rude, but if you get denied from any schools, your SAT alone is not the reason. The fact that you’ve taken no APs will also hurt. I don’t know how your high school works but in my high school if you don’t take the AP exam you do not get the AP credit. That being said, you applied to so many schools so I’m sure you will get into another few besides Utah or Buffalo. If Utah and Buffalo are still your only options after hearing back from all your schools. it is not the end of the world. I don’t know much about Utah but I know Buffalo is a pretty good school and the SUNY system is wonderful. Don’t waste a year just to take an exam again and forget all the material you learned in high school. Lastly, so many kids I know who take a “gap year” become less motivated to attend college and they end up not going. It’s scary and dangerous! Good luck!
Thank you so much for the reply. I am also afraid of losing motivation and end up not going to any school. I just want to start with a good college so later it is easier for me to get internships and etc. However, I am reading up on Buffalo and seems like a good school.
Go to Buffalo, do very well, and transfer. Or take a gap year, get a job, do something interesting eith the time, and reapply.
Not all colleges accepted classes twken at other colleges. You can’t assume all credits will transfer over. You have to find out what each school is will to accept.
To be honest, I think with inly one AP, (I assume you could, have taken more), and being “too scared” to tkae the exam, I think Buffalo or Utah will be fine for you. There must be soemthing you liked about those schools. Wait for the other decisions, and go to college.
I would go to the best school you get into and have a great college experience. My D’s friend went to SUNY Buffalo and was very happy. I would not take the time off to re-take the SATs because 1) who knows if you will do significantly better and 2) it does not appear that your HS course rigor is strong enough for the top colleges regardless of any SAT improvement.
I don’t like the idea of going to a college with the intent of transferring as I think it makes it very hard to develop meaningful friendships, get involved on campus, create relationships with professors etc. if you have decided in advance you have one foot out the door. Then if a transfer doesn’t work out you will be really stuck. Certainly if you are not thrilled where you end up and want to throw in a transfer application at some point that is fine – but I’d go to whatever school you choose with the intent of staying 4 years.
At the colleges you got into already, you can have a great experience, learn a ton, and get where you want to go in life. Move forward and make the most of the opportunities you have.
Thank you so much for all the advice and help. This community has always been there for me. I have decided to go to the best college that will accept me and have a great 4 years. If no other college acceptance letters come, it will definitely be Buffalo.