I was looking at the SAT scores that I sent to verify that all my scores were sent to all my colleges and noticed that my SAT II Math 2 score (800) arrived to the colleges on February 20, 2015. I feel as though this score is extreemeeleeyyyy important since it proves that my math section for my SAT I was a fluke (regularly scored 800 on the math section during practice but got a 680 then 730 across 2 sittings). Looking at some of the colleges I was rejected to, I will be honest, I was shocked by some of their decisions to reject my application. Do you think that the scores arrived too late for consideration??? I am literally stressing out and pulling my hair out atm haha. THANKS!!!
BTW: I do know that scores don’t necessarily make or break an applicant but it sure does help in the decision process.
Admission officers are experts on trying to find applicants that will matriculate at their school if they are schools that are less selective at around 35-60% or so. Those that are more selective will waitlist applicants they think are great students for their class, but may be their safety school (leaving a huge possibility of them going somewhere else). Those that are a bit less selective will out right reject a high qualified applicant since they know they probably applied to better schools and will be accepted there.
In order to increase their yield percentage and determine their class size, they really look into the applicant to see if they are academically qualified and their interest in the school. Once placed on the waitlist and they see that the applicant is still interested in their school, they go for them first. I’m pretty sure the 800 got to them; it is just one small piece of your application. Nothing you can do now to change it so don’t worry about it.
You regularly scored 800 on practice exams, but well below 800 on two actual exams. I’m not sure I agree that it was a fluke if it happened both times. I think it says that you’re capable of answering the actual questions, but tend to make errors when you throw in the pressure of the actual exam. It happens to a decent percentage of the population.
If you sent the scores in before the admissions deadline, then they should have been received early enough for consideration. I’m assuming your guidance counselor was aware you were taking the test; did he/she warn you off?
At the end of the day, it really does not matter why you were waitlisted or rejected. What matters is which schools accepted you, and which of them you’ll choose to attend.
Stop stressing out. Leave your hair alone. You have 5-6 weeks to choose from among those schools that accepted your application. That’s where your focus needs to be at this point.
Everything that was received by mid to late February was taken into consideration. So, no, this is not the reason.
Stop thinking about it: you didn’t meet an institutional need, it’s that simple (ie., star oboe player to replace the graduating oboe player, more kids into journalism because the campus paper is weakening, etc, etc)
No, I’m sure they were considered. Colleges get new information and updates from applicants all the time, right up till the last minute, and February 20 wasn’t too late. Don’t worry about it.