Bad SAT2s...send ACT?

<p>My December SAT2s were pretty bad...but my October SAT2s were alright.
October sat2s were high 600s (650-680). Took at June SAT2 in Math2 (720).
But December SAT2s were bad...(590-590-620).
My SATI score was a 2250 (CR: 720, M: 740, W: 790).</p>

<p>However, I just received my October ACT score because I tested standby and the scores came in last week.
Overall: 33 (E:32, M: 34, R:33, S:32)</p>

<p>Will this make a difference? I'm worried colleges might look at the 590s with disdain. I am applying to many top tier schools...some ivies, but my number one choice is Northwestern University.</p>

<p>well you have to send in 2 or 3 SAT II's no matter what. Sorry to say, but you are pretty much screwed in that respect. Hopefully, college admissions people will look more at your SAT I and ACT (which are both great btw) than the subject tests.</p>

<p>For my top choice schools (Northwestern, WashU), they said that SAT2s were optional... Does it matter in any respect? Because if they superscore they'd pick the top scores from:
Math2: 720 (no different)
Chem: 650, 590 (ouch for 590)
Bio: 640, 680, 620 (...so basically, I stayed the same)
Physics: 590 (this one is gonna hurt the most)</p>

<p>My intended major was physics...but after this, I guess I've got to email all my schools and switch to undecided.</p>

<p>Also, I heard that the midwest schools prefer ACT?</p>

<p>You have to question how optional they really are. Technically, SAT II's are optional at Stanford as well, but I really doubt that there is anyone that got in there without submitting the SAT II's. I don't know how it is at Northwestern or Wash U though.<br>
Schools make no preference between SAT's and ACT. They are counted the same.
I feel for your situation. I suppose the best thing to do is to not submit your SAT's since they are optional and just send in the ACT. Your subject scores can only hurt you, so I guess you have no other option.</p>

<p>If the schools you're applying to accept the ACT in lieu of both SAT I and II, then you should be fine. Northwestern should fall into that category; if a school that requires SAT II accepts the ACT instead, then so should a school that only recommends them. I'd send only the ACT.</p>

<p>However, most of the time that ACT needs to be with writing. Did you take the writing portion?</p>

<p>sprtn is incorrect. You DON'T have to have SAT IIs for all schools. Many, many schools (maybe even most) accept the ACT in place of SAT AND SATIIs. So you send the ACT and don't send any of the SAT/SATII scores, and that's it. </p>

<p>CHECK THE COLLEGES YOU ARE APPLYING TO. I know that even many of the Ivies work this way. But check! Don't take my word or anyone else's here. Check your schools. They will tell you.</p>

<p>Thing is, for my December SAT (aka bad SAT2s), I sent my scores to most of my colleges by default when I registered. I didn't send it to WashU though but they went to Northwestern :(</p>

<p>I know people have been accepted to Northwestern and WashU without SAT2s. And all the collleges I applied to have my math and bio and chem (first round without the 590s). </p>

<p>I'm wondering if the ACT score will help any? Because the SAT2s have only shown that I am weak in sciences but my ACT science was 32.</p>

<p>Another data point will always help. Send them.</p>