Very poor SAT, good ECs. Where should I apply?

College Search & Lists
1

Hello everyone,

I’m not really sure which schools I should be looking at. I come to CC in the hope that I can receive some guidance. My schedule has been increasingly difficult throughout high school and I have maintained a strong upward trend. I took 4 IB courses in my junior year and will take 7 in senior year.

GPA
UW: 92.8 (I don’t know what this would be on a 4.0 scale, but I assume it’s around a 3.7) W: 95.7

SAT: 1790 (550M, 530CR, 660W)
I probably won’t take the new SAT because I doubt I will do any better. I have no SAT II’s either and don’t plan on taking any.

ECs
-4 years on my school newspaper. Staff Writer>Chief News Reporter>News Editor>Managing Editor
-3 years of Future Engineers Club
-2 years of Journalism Honor Society
-2 years Technology Honor Society
-2 years Political Activism Club
-1 year of Student Council

Awards/Recognitions
-International Science and Engineering and Fair – Finalist (My project was featured on the Society for Science and the Public’s website and also by a number of local news outlets. Additionally, I received a proclamation from my county legislators)
-New York State Science and Engineering Fair, ISEF Division – Best in Fair, all categories; 1st place, Engineering Mechanics; RICHOH Sustainability Award; American Meteorological Society Award
-Long Island Science and Engineering Fair – 3rd Place, Environmental Science; Yale Science and Engineering Award
-WAC Invitational Science Fair – 3rd place, Earth and Environmental Science; Sustainability Award
-Empire State Scholastic Press Association Journalism Competition – Bronze, Sports Feature
-Long Island Press Awards – 2nd Place, Social Media Analysis; 2nd Place, Technology
-New York State Public High School Athletic Association Scholar Athlete

Work Experience
-Trader Joe’s – Customer Experience (20 hours/week over the summer)
-Target – Cashier (20 hours/week over the summer)

Other
-Columbia Scholastic Press Association Fall Journalism Conference
-Hofstra University’s 2015 Student Journalism Conference
-Attended the NYS Assemblymen Andrew Raia and Chad Lupinacci Press Conference
-2 years of varsity badminton
-Assisted teacher at religious education summer program
-Full IB Diploma Candidate

So I know my extracurriculars don’t pair very well with my my scores, which is why I’m having trouble deciding where I should apply. I live in New York, so I will probably apply to some SUNYs and CUNYs. Although I have given it some thought, my family doesn’t want me to attend community college. I’m currently undecided as to what I would like to major in although I have interests in both science and humanities. Any input would be appreciated. Thank you in advance!

2

Definitely SUNYs. Binghamton might be a good fit. Pace University in NYC might be a good fit, as well. If I were you, I might consider applying to Ithaca, too. Just for the heck of it. Ithaca is pretty straightforward with what they want in a student. They look for diversity and someone who is dedicated outside of the classroom, not just inside. Ithaca is gorgeous, too. Very good college town.

3

@nrvsabtcllg Thank you for your input.

4

Seeing as your scores are a tad low, you definitely should not give up on taking the SAT again (also think about taking the ACT); some colleges might be confused by the combination of journalism/technology experience and low M/CR scores.

As far as where you could apply, I also live in NYS and really recommend SUNY Stony Brook. I applied and thought it was very good as a research university (in some aspects it beats many other private institutions). You’ve probably heard of it already as you seem to be near the NYC/Long Island. Stony Brook is one of the four actual universities within the SUNY system along with Binghampton, Albany and Buffalo.

For a private university, Syracuse University is not that bad, either. There are also places in Rochester like RIT and U of R that might suit your needs.

5

Thank you @AL.

6

How much can your family afford? The SUNYs are good in-state options (and the CUNYs). Syracuse and the Rochesters will be very expensive. If you don’t get your SAT/ACT score up then you can look at test optional schools. http://www.fairtest.org/university/optional Once again, be mindful of what your family can afford. If they have it covered then great.

7

My recommendation is to apply to some of the smaller SUNY schools in addition to Binghamton, which may be a reach for you.

8

If you are looking at SUNY schools also check out SUNY New Paltz in addition to ones listed in other posts.

9

I think you should cheer up. Having SAT scores in the top 20% of all test takers is not “very poor”.

Attending community college unless that is a financial choice is absurd. There a dozens of schools that would love to have you. As well numerous test optional schools that will never see them.

10

Syracuse University

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We have about the same scores and I am looking at:
UC Santa Barbara
UC santa Crus
San Diego State University
Chico State
UC Davis
Santa Clara University
Loyola Marymount University
Seattle University
University of Washington
Gonzaga
Syracuse University
University of Alabama

12

Many of the Catholic colleges could be matches. Marist, Fairfield, St Michael’s, St Anslem, Loyola Maryland. Could also look at UNH, Muhlenberg, Susquehana.

13

Thank you all! @“Erin’s Dad” @twogirls @happy1 @2inschhool2 @phia17 @wisteria100

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I agree with post #8 about community college. You are well-qualified for college now. Your SAT is already way above average, you have great GPA, great ECs. and you are in the IB program. Have you considered private liberal arts colleges? Many of these are test-optional, meaning you do not have to submit SAT or ACT. And their admissions staff will give your application a fuller and more holistic reading, knowing GPA is best predictor of success anf they’d love your ECs… You might look at colleges approximately on the US News LACs ranked 50 to 100 nationally. (A rough approximation, as whoever is ranked 55 is no better than 65 or even 75.) Many of these are also members of the Colleges That Change Lives. Sticker prices for tuition are high but many give substantial merit aid, no matter parents’ income.

Sorry that I live in NC and know nothing about the SUNY/CUNY admissions. I do know that in NC, the admissions for public schools are very metric based: SAT, GPA, even class rank. That’s why the LACs may be worth researching, and you can run EFCs at specific websites to see what it would cost. Generally the lower ranked the college is, the more merit you could get. And you’d have the option of going anywhere in USA.

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Sorry, I meant NPC (Net Price Calculator) not EFC (Expected Family Contribution).

16

In another thread you said your family income is $150-200k, so I don’t believe you’ll get much need based aid anywhere. Ask your parents how much they can pay per year. Where you should apply depends on what they’re willing to spend.

The SUNYs will cost ~$20k. Public colleges in other states will likely be more because the tuition they charge out-of-state students is higher. Private schools cost more than most publics, but they don’t charge OOS rates. If schools cost more than your parents will spend, you need to find where you can get merit aid to bring the costs down. As you make your list, run the net price calculator on each school website to get an estimate of their cost to make sure they’re affordable.

What type of campus do you want? In-state or out-of-state? Urban or rural? A large student body (~20,000 kids) or a smaller one (~5,000 kids)? It would be easier to make suggestions if we knew a little more about what you wanted.

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Retake the sat. Worst case scenario you won’t do better and it won’t hurt you. Best case scenario you increase your score substantially and qualify for better aid (which is very score - based).
Apply to score-optional colleges - anywhere from Dickinson and Denison to Drake, AmericznProvidence, or Hampshire depending on your preferences/fit. At colleges ranked 60+ your scores would be okay.
RUN THE NPC ON ALL OF THESE and bring the results to your parents. Ask them if the net price (before loans and work study) is okay. If not, what is their budget?
Finally, once you’re done with all your applications, apply to Bowdoin Or Wesleyan, which are elite ‘test-optional’ colleges with excellent financial aid - meaning your application has to stand on its own (curriculum rigor, grades, EC’s).

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@DreamToRedeem I see a theme on this thread, on the posts by CC members with thousands of posts, and that is to consider the private colleges. As the 2 previous posters pointed out, run the NPC and talk with family about costs. I have 3 daughters and just a few years ago I was completely ignorant about the benefits of LACs for certain students. The worst mistake applicants make is flocking to the out-of-state public schools, often because they are known for football and basketball teams. If you go public, there are great options in New York.

I second @MYOS1634 about the option at looking at top-notch test-optional privates like Bowdoin. I just noticed the Fair Test link on post #5. Skidmore has just gone test-optional. Also, taking the ACT/SAT again is a no-risk and low-cost option. The September ACT and October SAT scores will be in time for all your appications, even for Early Decision if you go that route.

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^ I listed Drake, American, Providence, Dickinson, Denison, Hampshire as examples of colleges op should investigate (as realistic for his/her profile).
Wes or Bowdoin should only come after the other apps have been done because they’re a very long shot.

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@MurphyBrown Regarding OOS publics, I agree that are exceptions. Some, like Alabama, are doing a great job of attracting solid students with great fin aid. But a student top-flight enough to be admitted at Bowdoin can get great merit aid from less elite but still solid private colleges (say schools ranked 50 to 100) that make them competitive with non-elite publics. What I see often on CC is the appeal of UCB, UCLA, Mich, UVA, UNC, which are very difficult for out-of-staters to gain admission into. Seems like these five get the love, but what about UT, Wisconsin, UIUC, OSU, etc? (Disclosure: I am a UNC alum. D2013 is a Senior at NCSU. Her classes are still huge. Her friends are the same she had in high school.)

Every student and every family’s financial situation is different. States have different priorities toward higher ed. North Carolina, for example, not a super progressive state, funds its colleges relatively well. Other states do not. UVA, for example, gets less than 6% of its operating budget from the state. So families should understand that the lower tuition they pay means less funding for instruction and other operating expenses. Plus, the publics have much lower endowment money per student. Then on top of that, OOS students are charged a premium.

But again, large publics have extensive networks. Planning to work and live in South Carolina? Then Clemson or the other USC will serve you well. And many students love the big-time sports of the SEC or ACC. I just recommend that students like the OP consider all the options.