<p>i know that this question has been asked over and over again, but i haven't found any answers and i'm getting frustrated.. if you guys oculd help me out i'd really appreciate it! =) thanks in advance!</p>
<p>so here's the deal. i'm international, and i'm looking to apply to some ivy leagues.. and perhaps some other prestigious american institutions (uchicago, rice, etc.) and i was wondering if they prefer the SAT over ACT. i know traditionally they accepted the SAT, but recently many of these schools have broadened their horizons and decided to accept the ACT too. however, im' hearing a lot of talk that these schools prefer the SAT over the ACT. i'm also hearing stuff like the SAT is for underachievers - the innately smart - whereas the ACT is for the overachievers - the diligent, but not as smart kids. i don't really know what colleges like harvard / columbia prefer.. the naturally smart kids? or the kids that work their butts off?</p>
<p>and even though there are so many posters saying that they're considered equal, i can't help but doubt that. this was affirmed by my own test scores (practice tests).. i'm no no way dumb (i have a 3.8 avg) but i got 1450 on my SATs, but 31 (converts to 2040) on my ACT.</p>
<p>anyway. i have to start studying for them. and i'm still trying to figure out which ones to do! i know it'll be easier to get my 31 to 34 than it'll be to get my 1450 to a 2200. but there's that.. issue of preference...suggestions?</p>
<p>Most colleges dropped any preference for SAT or ACT in the 1980s and 1990s. The last hold-outs, Wake Forest, Caltech and Harvey Mudd as to SAT and Brigham Young as to ACT dropped any preference about three to four years ago (and Wake Forest then dropped requiring any test). The California Polytechnics have since gone to stating a preference for the ACT. Otherwise, any college of any rank readily accepts either. Nevertheless, I think a few (whose names I cannot currently think of) still will accept only SAT from internationals (why is anyone’s guess) but I do not believe that includes any ivies. As to your lower score on SAT be aware that most who take both usually score in about the same percentile range on both and the rest are divided between those who do better on the SAT and those who do better on the ACT; i.e., your personal experience is not a valid sample for determining the issue. The protestations that you see about SAT being preferred at some high ranked colleges is generated by those who still fear that is true despite the colleges’ denying any such preference. So it is a choice between who want to believe: are the colleges telling the truth? or are those who express doubt about what the colleges say correct?</p>
<p>Also, as to what those colleges think about either test, consider this peculiar fact: for Yale, Brown and Penn, if you submit the ACT you don’t even have to submit SAT IIs.</p>
<p>drusba, i’m definitely going to take your advice to heart. you pointed out something… v. interesting = the fact that the ACT is considered equivalent to the SAT II and SAT I combined. i’m defs going to go with the ACT route; made my decision today. =) </p>
<p>That is limited to only some schools that require SAT IIs. For example the rest of the ivies, other than Yale, Brown or Penn, still require IIs even if you submit the ACT. If you go here you will see the line-up; in the the required column if the number has an * next to it the college accepts ACT in lieu of both SAT and SAT IIs; if no * next to the number required, the college still requires IIs even if you submit ACT: [Compass:</a> Admissions Requirements](<a href=“SAT Subject Test Requirements and Recommendations - Compass Education Group”>SAT Subject Test Requirements and Recommendations - Compass Education Group)</p>