Bad SATs/Good ACT...instant reject?

Colleges & Universities A-Z Cornell University
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<p>I'm potentially applying RD to CALS for a major in Communication. </p>

<p>Basically, I took the SAT early and it's very average: 670 M, 660 CR, 650 W.
Then, I took the ACT, and here are my highest results from 2 tests: 34 E, 31 M, 28 S, 33 R.
My highest composite is unfortunately only a 31, but superscored a 32. </p>

<p>ALSO, I took the SAT IIs and got a 650 French and a 630 Lit...which is funny considering I got a 5 on the AP Lit test. These are obviously not very impressive. </p>

<p>Because I wanted to use the free reports while I could, I already sent Cornell all of my SAT scores. And, of course, I'm going to send the ACTs. Will my SATs (particularly the sub tests) make them reject me pretty fast, even with better ACTs? </p>

<p>Assume hypothetically that the rest of my app is very compelling. Will my mediocre SATs leave me out of the running?</p>

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<p>What you have to understand is that SAT / ACT scores don’t get you in…they can only keep you out. Meaning that if they like your transcript, essays, recs, ECs, demographic, then you just can’t be too far below the average to be rejected. Your ACT score of 31 is at the 50th percentile. I know that the common data set says “average scores for those reporting SAT” but my suspicion is that they only repoort the score that was used (the higher) to admit. I base this on my knowledge of the )admitted students from my school & their stats (almost everyone of them had ACT scores in average range but SAT’s below average) . So the short answer is: if they want you, your SAT scores won’t keep you out.</p>

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<p>Thanks for your insight!</p>