Is it worth to retake these tests to get into an ivy league school? How much weight is put on them?
The ACTs are meant as a test for HS students. Re-taking them as a college student likely won’t do much of anything to help your chances to transfer. Some colleges don’t even look at ACT or SATs taken while in college so check with the schools you plan to apply to.
Is a 1130 SAT score competitive for a school like Columbia?
No. Median SAT is >1500.
There are different opinions on this, but if your score is quite low in comparison to the score range of admitted students at the college, I would retake it.
Ask Columbia if they will accept a retake from a college student. I agree with @happy1
Thank you I appreciate the feedback. the 1130 is out of the “new” 1600 scale, does that make a difference in your opinion?
Not a whole lot.
@“Erin’s Dad” I retook my standardized testing as a transfer student when I applied to Columbia and was accepted. However, it’s important to note that in my case, my former test score was not super way below the range.
My statement in post # 4, however, only refers to schools that are Ivy League/Tier 1 who are requiring testing. For example, some of these colleges waive the testing requirement for community college students (because they never needed to take them), while others like Columbia… still require them. Let’s say, the student was from community college and never took the SAT/ACT, they would be required to do so now.
There is less weight given on the testing scores, but nevertheless there is some weight because these top schools have more than enough qualified applicants and can afford to be picky. For other schools, my recommendation would be different.
^ And you know that they considered your new test? Did you ask? If the student were coming from a CC and had never taken an SAT then, yes, they would take it now. IMO not that same thing. But the Ultimate way to find out is to ask Columbia.
I think they would have considered it-- I don’t see a big reason as to why they would ignore it if it was sent to them.
However, the OP can double check as there’s no harm in doing so.
Columbia does accept standardized tests taken in college. Could you tell me what your accepted score was? I know each application and acceptance is unique to the individual but having a ball park idea is always nice. Also in your opinions what is the lowest I could get on the SAT for it to neither affect my application negatively or positively?
I didn’t take the SAT for transfer admission. I have no idea what score you would need for that ‘gray area.’ Just try your best. Good luck.