<p>Im a senior with a 99 GPA. On the other hand, My sat scores are in the 1500’s and my ACT scores are in the 20’s. I know it brings up questions, but Im not gonna lie, I moved here 3 years ago, and did not know what the act was and its importance until last year. So I should have studied more for it, and Im ashamed of my performances on these tests. Now its too late, and I just have to apply to college. Im considering public and state colleges for the special programs and scholarships they offer, but a part of me feels like I am selling myself short. I know that I wouldn’t get into harvard with my grades, but I just feel like I should apply to some known school like hofstra U., but I dont want it to be like Im applying to reach schools only. I am thinking about Cornell, NYU, Hofstra and Stony Brook, but they might all reject me, so I dont know it my list is realistic.</p>
<p>About.com has GPA + SAT/ACT scatterplots for many colleges, like this one for NYU:
[NYU</a> - GPA and Test Scores Needed for Admission](<a href=“http://collegeapps.about.com/od/GPA-SAT-ACT-Graphs/ss/nyu-admission-gpa-sat-act.htm]NYU”>New York University: Acceptance Rate, SAT/ACT Scores, GPA)</p>
<p>(Google: “NYU average SAT GPA about.com” then click on the link to “NYU GPA and Test Score Graph”)</p>
<p>If your school has a Naviance account, you can get similar plots just for graduates of your HS. This will give you a smaller data set, but one that more closely reflects outcomes for your school.</p>
<p>There are many good schools that are SAT/ACT optional - consider applying to some of those schools.</p>
<p>Test optional schools are a great idea. The rigor of your curriculum will come into play, a lot, so if you lack AP or Honors courses, don’t think you can get into the top test optional schools with just your GPA.</p>
<p>About your test scores. They’re unusual with a 99 GPA. Despite what people would have you believe, it’s not something you can really study for. Test prep is more about understanding how the test works and test strategies rather than studying specific things that might or might not be on the test. There are a list of things that might explain the difference between your GPA and your test scores. It could be any or all of the following:</p>
<ol>
<li>Your school is grading you way too easy. Grade inflation.</li>
<li>Easy courses - You may not be challenging yourself enough.</li>
<li>Test anxiety.</li>
<li>Language problem.</li>
<li>Undiagnosed learning disability. You may not be able to process the ACT/SAT test fast enough.</li>
</ol>
<p>You’ll need to break your test scores down a little more for anyone to get a get a read on where the problem may lie. Are you finishing the tests? How do you feel you’re doing when taking them? Take any test prep? How are your scores on practice tests compared to real world?</p>
<p>I do think, my school has a bit of grade inflation, however, I have taken a few honors and ap classes. Took honors english, honors trig/alg2, ap spanish, and aced them. Im taking ap chem, ap calc now. for my regular science classes, I aced them all. I im never able to finish my tests, because as dumb as it may sound, I can never concentrate enough throughout the whole time… Here are my best sat score: Reading: 470, Math : 550, Writing 590</p>
<p>What were your AP scores? Are you the last one to finish your tests in school? Do you get extra time to take the tests? Have an EIP? Ever been diagnosed with a learning disability?</p>
<p>Based on very limited info, sounds like a learning disability, either diagnosed or undiagnosed. Get it diagnosed, and colleges will have something to go on to admit you, or you can learn to compensate, or you can get it treated.</p>
<p>I dont get extra time to take tests, but Im usually the last one to finish. Part of it is because English is my second language, and it just takes me longer to process questions. I dont think I have a learning disability though</p>
<p>If language proficiency is the problem, then you might think about taking a gap year to really polish up your English skills, retake the SAT/ACT, and then go to the college you deserve. Might not be the best idea, but it’s a thought.</p>
<p>What’s your TOEFL score? Or have you ever taken it? (Not that I would know how to interpret it.)</p>
<p>Take the TOEFL: it’ll signal to colleges that you’re an ELL and they’ll look at your SAT scores in context. </p>
<p>In addition, how many times have you taken the SAT? You can take it several times, and you can register for the December Test before Nov 8. You can also try the ACT (it’s more straight forward in wording and might be easier for someone for whom English is not a native language. However there are more subjects, including Reading and Science, and the math is more advanced. Additionally, there’s no penalty for guessing. If you’ve taken it only once it may be worth it, as long as you prepare.) You could try the ACT dec 14 and try SAT Subjects in your three best subject Dec 7.
You can find free exercises here
<a href=“https://www.number2.com/[/url]”>https://www.number2.com/</a>
and free lessons here:
[SparkNotes</a> Free Online Test Prep and Study Guides for College Admissions](<a href=“SparkNotes: Today's Most Popular Study Guides”>SparkNotes: Today's Most Popular Study Guides)
Both websites are very good. Use them if you haven’t already. :)</p>
<p>Having trouble concentrating till the end of the test sounds like ADD/inattentive. Get it checked out, it’s really no big deal and if that’s what you have, 1° you’ll get treatment (like glasses for a near sighted person - chemical glasses that will you stop “squinting” constantly in your brain) 2° colleges will understand and look at the scores in context.</p>
<p>Do apply to test optional or test flexible schools such as Wake Forest, Bowdoin, American U, Hamiton, Holy Cross, Franklin&Marshall, Pitzer, Dickinson, St Lawrence, WPI, Wheaton (MA). With a 99 average and many Honors/AP classes, you’d be competitive for these schools. And if your TOEFL and new ACT/SAT subject scores were good, you could send them to complement your application. :)</p>