Is it bad if I don’t have SAT II’s to send in when I am applying for CPS? I want to take Literature SAT II but my scores are not where I want them to be… If anything, I think sending them in will be a disadvantage for me, especially since other applicants would most likely be sending in higher scores than me.
Should I just take the test and send the score? Or, if I get like a 650, is it better that I don’t send the score? Will not having an SAT II test harm my application?
Also, will sending a PSAT rather than an SAT harm my application?
Thanks everyone, I really appreciate it!
Hi,
Last year, I was named a College Prep Scholar and even won 2 of their Quest for Excellence Awards. I was also named a National College Match Finalist, so I hope I can provide some insight.
I did not put down any test scores besides the PSAT when filling out my College Prep Scholars application (I hadn’t taken any SAT’s, ACT’s, or Subject Tests until the deadline passed), so sending in the PSAT with no SAT’s or ACT’s will not hurt you.
As for the SAT and Subject Tests, if I remember correctly, the application asked for ALL test scores, even though I know some people omitted scores on their application. Even though I had a 570 on U.S. History, I sent in all of my scores, and I was still named a finalist. I don’t think sending in a score you see as sub-par, even though it might not be, will hurt your chances unless it is very bad (and by very bad, I don’t mean a 750). So, if taking the subject tests is a burden for you, I would suggest not taking them until you are confident in achieving the score you want as I doubt lacking an SAT II score will make-or-break your application.
Rather than dwell on test scores, focus on your essays and short answers. I honestly feel that these are the deciding factors when it comes to decisions. Quest Bridge wants to learn about your life experiences and the challenges you’ve faced, not whether you got a 790 instead of an 800 on the Math Level II. So, spend a lot of time on these and paint a vivid picture of yourself. It will not only help your chances, but prepare you for answering questions when you actually apply to college.
I hope this advice proves to be helpful, and good luck with your applications!
Thanks so much @uncreativename ! I definitely will work hard on my essays, but I think my GPA is much, much lower than average. It’s been a 3.6 for 9th and 10th grade, and for 1st semester junior year I managed to get a 3.8. Do you think this will have a significant impact on my chances?
@uncreativename Also, if you don’t mind would you be able to share what types of topics you talked about in your essay?
@Pokeman1 Sorry for the late response; I don’t visit College Confidential that often. For your GPA, this is a pretty cliche answer that is given on most “Chance Me” threads, but it’s true: the admissions process is holistic, meaning that they take everything into consideration when considering you to become a Prep Scholar, so GPA isn’t a big factor (unless you are applying with something very low). Also, I wouldn’t spend time worrying about your chances or how your stats will affect you becoming a College Prep Scholar. Your GPA is what it is, so there is no point worrying yourself over something you can’t change. Plus, there will always be someone that is better than you in some way, so comparing yourself to others only adds stress to an already nerve-wracking, yet exciting, process.
As for my essays, I wrote about having to learn CPR over the phone from a police dispatcher when my father stopped breathing, as well as a few other personal things, for the biographical essay. For the secondary essay, I wrote about identity and being a member of the LGBT community.