Hi everyone. This is my first post and I’ll get straight to the point.
Background Info
SAT: 1390 (M:670; W/R:7200)
ACT: 27
Class Rank: 73 out of 348 (not updated); GPA: W:4.2 UW: 3.42 (not updated)
Community Service Hours: Not sure how to document this. I do a lot of community service with my church, independent road cleanup, and some stuff with my school clubs.
Clubs: Beta Club (Officer), Student Council (representative), Spanish Club, Quiz Bowl
EC Activities: Soccer, Church Choir, Mime Team, Church Youth Group Volunteer
1.) I would like some advice about when to take the SAT again in order to have adequate time to study and prepare, along with the ACT. I scored a 1390 (Math:670, Critical Reading/Writing: 720) on my first try. I did horrible on the rhetorical analysis essay. I took the ACT in early February and scored a 27 (fell asleep halfway through due to personal issues). What advise would you offer on improving these scores? My goal for the SAT is a 1500 and my ACT goal is a 33.
1.b) What is the best date to test for the SAT if I’m applying to the USC honors college?
2.) I would like to improve my essay writing ability. I believe my writing skills are very strong, but what tips would you offer to help improve it in general?
3.)I’ve began the college admission process. I am a South Carolina resident. I’ve applied to Wingate (NC)(accepted), Hampden-Sydney(VA)(accepted), Washington in St. Louis (MO), University of South Carolina (SC), University of South Carolina Upstate (SC), Tulane University (LO), College of Charleston (SC), Lander University (SC), and Clemson University (SC). I plan on applying to University of Southern California, Princeton University, USC Honors College (both Columbia and Upstate), University of Charleston Honors College, and Lander’s Honors College.
My top picks are University of Southern California, Washington University, Princeton University, USC Honors College, and College of Charleston Honors College.
What advice would you recommend to help smooth the admissions process along?
I am a senior. I thought that as long as I had the application in by the due date and the have my scores in by the credentials deadline, it would be okay to take the december exam.
If youre a senior, you no longer have “adequate time to study” for standardized tests. Register right now for the November SAT and ACT. The best date would have been October sat but it’s too late for that. Register for December tests and work using Khan academy. Perhaps invest in a couple hours with a tutor to understand what they’re looking for in the essay section.
Hasn’t the deadline for USC honors already passed? In any case hopefully you’re almost done with it and will send your application soon, with the test scores indicated as about to be send from November sitting.
What about applying to Wofford? Rhodes? Hendrix? All three would be good matches. If you look further away, especially if you like HSC but want something more prestigious, apply to Davidson (reach), perhaps Elon (match).
Can your parents afford their EFC or do you need merit scholarships? Have you run the NPC on all these colleges and made sure your parents can pay out of pocket (from savings and income) AND are willing to do so?
Thank you @MYOS1634. You answer was very informative. The deadline for USC Honors College is approaching. I am close to finish with the application and I should score high enough on the ACT tomorrow to be competitive for it. I guess your right about it not being the time to study for these test. I didn’t take high school seriously and now I am paying the price.
If I don’t get accepted Washington Uni., then I’m most likely staying instate, so Heddix and Rhodes are out of the question. I am applying for Wofford (pre-engineering program) and maybe Elon since it’s North Carolina and some SC scholarships are still viable in NC. My parents aren’t able to pay for the colleges I am applying to so scholarships and grants are vital if I want to attend a school of my choice.
So, you are asking for suggestions for a test you are taking tomorrow? Also, you have missed the Nov SAT registration date. I sound like you didn’t really prepare for this test either. A major improvement in score is unlikely. U SCar Honors College is reach you are well below the avg GPA (4.65W) and Class rank (top 4%). To get to the bottom 25% of the ACT range, you would have to get a 31 tomorrow.
Your scores, gpa and ranking are not in the top score range, so scholarships are very unlikely especially at USC. USC is at $72K per year and you can’t borrow that amount. How will you pay?
You need a different list of schools that you can afford.
You didn’t study for the SAT, which is not a one-day thing, so your scores are not going to be at 1500.
USC likes to fund National Merit Scholars; sorry, but you aren’t one of them.
Thank you all for the advice. . I did study over the past year for the ACT since I took it February, so I believe my score is at least a 32. I was prepared for the ACT. However, the SAT was the test I was more concerned with. I wasn’t planning on applying to the USC Honors College until I received an invitation to apply earlier this week. However, by then it was too late to apply for the November SAT and I had already registered for the December.
@“aunt bea” Your comment helped me fully realize the situation. Again thank you for the advice.