<p>I know you are going to be shocked by my scores, so please try to look past them. I know I?m not in the same league as you guys here on CC but I could use some opinions and I?ve seen many people on here give and receive some good advice.</p>
<p>Here?s what happened to me.</p>
<p>When I took the PSATs I did pretty well scoring a 210. But when it came to the SAT?s it was a different story. Between Jr & Sr year I took the SAT 3 times, my best score was 1110/1600 (1660/2400). I actually scored exactly the same the second & third time and because of that, my counselor suggested I tried the ACT instead of going for a fourth SAT. I took the ACT in Oct and got a 25, a little better than my SATs, but not by much. I took the ACT again in Dec and felt better prepared, but based on my previous performance, I?m not feeling too optimistic right now.</p>
<p>The rest of my stats are decent. My GPA is 95.4 (uw), top 15% of class, I?ve taken the most demanding schedule my school offers with Honors & AP classes, I?ve been involved in the same ec?s throughout and have reached leadership positions in 3/5. I?ve also lettered in a varsity sport for 4 years, but since I am not a recruited athlete and don?t plan to play in college, I don?t think it will count for much. </p>
<p>My apps are basically ready to go, I?m just waiting on the Dec ACT results. My question is this:</p>
<p>IF my Dec ACT score is the same, or lower than my 25 ? should I just NOT report my SAT scores at all, and go only with the ACT 25? I know most people report several scores when they apply. I?m wondering what might be considered worse: an applicant who sends in only one exam score, or an applicant with a record of horrible scores?</p>
<p>I don?t believe my scores reflect my true potential, but I also can?t explain why I?ve done so poorly ? unfortunately I just have to deal with what they are, but hopefully in the best light possible. Any suggestions? Thanks.</p>
<p>I know it's close to application deadlines - but have you looked into any SAT-optional</a> schools? You're definitely a strong applicant aside from your test scores.</p>
<p>You don't need to send in/report any scores that you don't want to. I'm only reporting/sending in one ACT score, and that's all they need.</p>
<p>I also agree with quaere, maybe look into some schools that don't require tests? Here are a few off of a list that I just happen to have in front of me:</p>
<p>Burlington College
Bard College
Bennington College
Cazenovia College
College of the Holy Cross
Dickinson College only requires them for merit scholarships
Hamilton College lets you coose any three tests you want to submit, like APs or parts of the SAT/ACT
Hobart & William Smith
Hartwick College
Nazareth College...</p>
<p>And I'm sure there are a lot more. Bottom line is, your scores may not be up to par but numbers aren't everything.</p>
<p>I say send only the ACT. Results from the December test should be out soon and you never know, maybe you'll have a higher score this time around. In any case if you only end up submitting one ACT score I don't think they hold that against you.</p>
<p>Also, if you're not going to submit your SAT scores make sure they don't appear on your transcript. Most schools require that the scores be reported to them directly but I know my school still includes them on our transcripts if they were reported by CB. We're required to sign a waiver if we want them removed.</p>
<p>Have you applied to any test optional schools? Sammielue's list has good suggestions. Good Luck!</p>
<p>chocolatealtoids - I'm hoping you are only kidding when you ask, but just to set the record straight I didn't cheat on my PSATs. I really don't know why I did so lousy on my SATs but I did try.</p>
<p>My parents couldn't afford anyting like the Kaplan classes, but I did take the prep classes offered at my school. I actually did very well on the inhouse tests. I also bought the online prep package from CB and preped from that as well. It seems I can do on well on the practices but just couldn't pull it off on the real thing. For the ACT I have to admit I had no preparation because I didn't know much about it until my counselor suggested it as a last resort. I did buy a book after I took it in Oct but I don't know how much that will help my Dec score. Believe me, it has been very hard to come to terms with my failure but I'm doing the best I can.</p>
<p>I do want to thank those of you who responded with advice. I really appreciate it. </p>
<p>After receiving the scores from my 3rd SAT I had to make huge changes to my list of schools. The school on my list now include 3 test optional schools (Drew, Holy Cross, Bard) the other schools include my state school (Rutgers)American, Catholic U, Marist, Northeastern, St. Joseph's U, Loyola Maryland, and BU. </p>
<p>Rutgers, American and BU are the only one's that remain from my original list so they're the only one's I've actually visited.</p>
<p>I don't know if this comforts you, but the valedictorian of our class (straight As all the way, really such an academic powerhouse) got like a 25 on her ACT. She is still awesome though</p>
<p>Thanks Tina, actually it does help to hear that other people have experienced something similar. For a long time I've been feeling like I'm the only one. How is your friend coping?</p>
<p>Some people test well and other don't. That's the fallacy in putting so much emphasis on standardized tests for college entry; it just doesn't tell you anything about the person you're looking at! </p>
<p>I have two kids in college. The oldest was a National Merit Scholarship winner and was accepted by three top schools and turned down by the first choice which was not only SAT optional but didn't even look at SATs. While I truly believe they turned my kid down because they were trying to protect their yield when faced with an obviously qualified applicant, I applauded their stance on the SAT issue. My child went to a top-twenty U for a year and then convinced the first-choice school to accept a transfer. It's been a great experience ever since. If you love to write and you're good at it, I'd recommend you look at Sarah Lawrence. </p>
<p>Child number two was accepted at two top-ten-rated LACs and two top U's, with SATs at NMSQT-commended level. First choice in this case was Bard which impressed up both not because of the rankings or the SAT scores of its students, but with the quality of the education and their devotion to fostering learning among a student body selected for their qualities as young adults. I'm proud to say my child attends Bard now, and to some extent because they see beyond standardized tests to select kids who are interesting and interested in learning. It's been a great experience for my freshman, and I can't say that for the kids of my friends at all the schools they selected based on rankings and SAT range. Be proud of what you've accomplished. Don't limit your application to schools because of your SAT or ACT, or their position in rankings. The best school for you will select you for who you are and if they don't, they don't deserve you! Hold your head up high....and if you're interested in Bard for what makes it unique, you'll love it. If it's just to dodge SAT score reporting, I wouldn't suggest it. Lead with your strengths. Acceptances are so capricious anyway, you can't blame yourself. Life has very little to do with SATs. Pick a school you want to go to for the right reasons, and apply. ;)</p>
<p>Thanks a million for your words of encouragement.</p>
<p>I do have to admit that I added the test optional schools in hope of increasing my chances to be accepted somewhere, not because they are truly my schools of choice. I know this is not the way I want to (or should) choose a school, especially after reading your advice -- but lately I really feel I'm between a rock and a hard place. </p>
<p>Part of me believes that scores aren't everything, but just reading about how competitive admissions are this year even for kids with amazing test scores, makes me very insecure about taking chances. </p>
<p>I've had to start my search all over again, and kind of late. Right now I'm kind of working backwards, finding schools that are in my score range and then visiting them with the hope that one will be turn out to be a good personal fit. I realize its not a good plan, and I will try to remember your advice. Thank you!</p>