What to do?

Applying to College
1

<p>Hi there, I’m a rising senior and just received my SAT II scores on Bio and Math 2. They were less than expected… let me re-phrase that, they were HORRIBLE.
I’m looking to apply to Boston College, Boston U, Northeastern, NYU, etc. Most of those schools accept SAT + SAT II OR ACT + Writing. My SATs were okay and my ACT score was better. BU is the only one out of that list that does not super score and it’s the only one that requires subject tests no matter what.</p>

<p>Should I retake both SAT and SAT II? I’d have to do it in October and November (which is pushing it a little considering application deadlines)?
OR
Should I just retake the ACTs to ensure that my super score and my composite score are above 30 and not worry about sending in the SAT + SAT II scores?</p>

2

<p>It’s hard to offer advice with vague information. Could you be more specific than:</p>

<p>SAT: OK
ACT: better
SAT IIs: less than expected, horrible</p>

<p>Are you talking 1800/28/600 disappointment or 2230/30/710 disappointment?</p>

3

<p>Sorry to be vague. You were almost spot on with your first estimate. I got a 1810/30/600 (on both subject tests)</p>

4

<p>Incorrect on BU. Like BC it takes ACT (w/writing) in lieu of both SAT and SAT IIs. NYU no longer requires SAT IIs if you submit SAT or ACT, you have choice to submit (a) SAT or (b) ACT or (c) three SAT IIs or (d) three APs; any one of those four choices meets the test requirement. Northeastern does not require SAT IIs.</p>

<p>In other words for all four of those ACT would be enough. Nevertheless, what you should take or retake depends on your choice and what you think you can do well on.</p>

5

<p>I don’t know the mid 50% ranges for your targeted schools and I haven’t looked at the SAT/ACT concordance tables recently, but I think you’d be wise to focus on the ACT route. BU will need to see the SAT IIs, but since you have plenty of ACT+writing w/ no SAT II schools on your list, I think it best to prep for and take the next ACT (be sure to take it w/ writing). You might well improve your 30, and if not, 30 is already a respectable score. Easier to focus on ACT, let me guess, science was your lowest section, than to prep for SATs and SAT IIs and have to test on two fall dates (can’t do SAT & SAT II same date).</p>

<p>Edit: Cross-posted w/ drusba, whose added info reinforces my ACT focus opinion.</p>

<p>Good luck.</p>

6

<p>Thanks drusba and sherpa, I think I’ll be going the ACT route. Thanks drusba for clarifying on BU, that makes things easier; my top schools are BC and BU.</p>