Didnt Do So Well On My May SAT: Will That Be The Official Downfall Of My college app?

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Hey Guys, just looking to get some thoughts here.</p>

<p>I took the SAT for the first time this morning, and came away disappointed in myself. I found the critical reading and math to be a difficult for me, and some of my scores may be a little below average. My writing will be above average, ranging anywhere from a 590-620. My history of standardized tests has always been poor since grammar school, and it has continued up to this point. Will this be the downfall of my admission to the colleges of my choice? I plan on taking the SAT in June, and practicing much harder than I did this time around and vastly improve my scores.</p>

<p>Schools I plan on applying to: BU, Syracuse, Temple, Emerson College, Fordham, Loyola Maryland, Fairfield</p>

<p>About myself in high school</p>

<p>High School: Known Jesuit high school with great reputation
Overall average: 88.14</p>

<p>When I graduate next year, my overall class load will look like:</p>

<p>Total Honors/AP classes: 7 ( English 2 Honors, Biology Honors, Trig Honors, AP English Language, AP English Literature, AP Stat, German 3 Honors</p>

<ul>
<li>Will have taken a language in all four years of high school: Latin freshman and sophomore year, German from sophomore through senior year.</li>
</ul>

<p>My Personal Activities/Achievement</p>

<p>Most important one: I am a current sports blogger that has reached a lot of success early on. For two years I was a columnist at BleacherReport.com and obtained over 1 million reads, and has seen worked featured on CBS Sports, Fox Sports, Houston Chronicle, and many more. Starting in May I will be working for National Football Authority.</p>

<ul>
<li>Current writer for my school newspaper</li>
<li>In my senior year I plan on becoming a host on our sports radio network</li>
<li>I am a current member of my school's Campus Ministry Team</li>
<li>The past three years I have shown school spirit by attending as many sporting events as possible.</li>
<li><p>For three years I have been a tutor at my high school's higher achievement program for rising 8th graders</p></li>
<li><p>In my community, I dedicate a lot of time to a youth baseball league. I am currently a baseball coach of a team consisting of 10-12 year olds, and also help around with other administrative decisions for the league as well.</p></li>
<li><p>I am a co-founder of the "Make A Kid Smile Campaign". This program is a happy time for many kids in my town that are in poverty, as they receive free items of their choice from Foot Locker.</p></li>
<li><p>I also am a lector at my church, and help around in many other ways as well.</p></li>
</ul>

<p>Sorry for the long list, just trying to get as many possible opinions from you guys. I release I will have to improve on my current SAT scores, and I plan on doing so. However, at best I am going to be a student in the 1500-1700 range. Will SAT scores prevent me from going to the colleges I am looking at? My goal would be to say I've never excelled on standarized tests, but I am a hard working student who achieves both inside and outside of the classroom.</p>

<p>All feedback is appreciated. Feel free to PM me if you wish!</p>

2

<p>Don’t be hyperbolic- of course not. You still have plenty of chances to take the SATs and plus your overall package is great for these schools. Don’t limit your range. Practice, practice, practice. If it makes you feel better, I scored 260 points higher than my first attempt later. There’s a lot of luck involved.</p>

3

<p>Thanks for the feedback… Based off the schools I listed, most of the ranges are about a 1540-1700… BU is a bit higher than that, but I still got time to grow… I just hope schools wouldn’t look at the one bad one too much if I did much better the next time around…</p>

4

<p>Do they allow score choice? For every school that did, I just showed them my best one :slight_smile: You show a lot of community involvement. Ace your essay, find teachers who love you (shouldn’t be a problem given how involved you are) and hope for the best.</p>

5

<p>I would love the idea of them picking the best SAT scores for me ( if i could just send my top ones, that would be great)… I plan on writing a good essay along with getting good recommendations.</p>

6

<p>Don’t worry about this SAT. Study, take it again. Study more, take it again in the fall.</p>

<p>Also take the ACT, some do better on that.</p>

<p>You have a fine list.</p>

<p>Which schools are your financial safety schools? (These are schools that you’re certain that you can get accepted to AND you’re sure that you’ll have all costs covered?)</p>

<p>Have you asked your family how much they’ll pay each year for college? If you don’t know, ask. The schools on your list do not meet need, so that could be an issue.</p>

7

<p>Thanks for the feedback! The schools I am most confident in receiving financial help in is Loyola and Fairfield ( both Jesuit colleges). They both give good money to good students coming from Jesuit high schools. </p>

<p>I have talked with my parents regarding how much money we currently have for college, and realize the other possibilities that come along with… My one question is I wasnt sure what you mean by the schools on my list dont meet need? Does that mean for everyone or it isnt guaranteed they will meet need?</p>

8

<p>Loyola is test optional. I’m looking there and visited a few weeks ago. If you still don’t like your scores after retaking, then don’t submit. Have you considered Providence College? They are also test optional.</p>