Disappointing SAT score - wreck his chances???

<p>My son just got his SAT scores back - his PSAT scores were 66 Math, 72 CR and a 49 (ouch) Writing. He knew he had to work on the writing and math, but was confident about the CR. He got his scores, and he is just beside himself with worry about Ct. College: Math: 650, CR 640 (went down 80 points??? and he took a prep course!) and Writing 540. It is totally confusing, because he is a very good writer: as a 10th grader, he got a 5 on his AP History test, and a 770 on his SAT II US History; for math 1, he got a 690 on his SAT II test.</p>

<p>Is CT College out of his reach with these scores, especially since he will need financial aid? I would hate to have him give up on the school, it is his first choice for ED. Thanks,</p>

<p>Don't they accept SAT2 scores in lieu of SATs?</p>

<p>My D went down 80 points on the writing. She's so mad. She'll retake in October to raise math (680) and writing (620). She's thrilled with her CR--which is only 560, but for her that's great. Poor kids. I feel for them, lol.</p>

<p>spmom is correct; having the school consider the SAT I (even though they'll see it) is optional.</p>

<p>From the ConnColl website:

[quote]
Standardized Testing Requirements
Connecticut College requires the ACT (the writing component is optional) or two SAT Subject Tests. Submission of SAT Reasoning scores is optional. If your SAT Reasoning scores do not reflect your full potential, we recommend that you choose to submit only two SAT Subject Tests or the ACT. This choice is indicated to the Admission Committee on the Supplement to the Common Application.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Even more reassurance: Conn's FA is based on need, so his test scores will not influence the amount in his total FA package.</p>

<p>Also his math and CR scores are within the 25-75% range for <em>admitted</em> students; the enrolled student figures would be lower. And remember that even that score range is for the group who chose to submit their SAT-reasoning scores voluntarily--something like 52% according to USNews, but only 32% according to the College Board. At similar schools, the non-submitters scores are, on average very significantly lower than those of submitters, so even his CW score is probably not far from the ballpark for enrolling students. </p>

<p>If he has strong grades and applies ED, I think he'd be a very competitive candidate. He could always take the SAT again in the fall and hope to bump up the CW score, and he could do so knowing that there was nothing to lose.</p>

<p>Thank you so much for your information - he does have great extracurriculars, and a 92 unweighted average with all Honors and AP courses, top 10%, so I hope it is good enough.
Sigh.</p>

<p>Isn't this tough for them? And for us also? I hope he gets in ED, so he can concentrate on enjoying his senior year.
Thanks for your help,</p>

<p>Yes, they do - but do they look down on them? Thanks,</p>

<p>So maybe he should just submit his SAT II History score, 770, and his Math 1, 690. It shows he can do both math and thinking with text. They do see the SAT I test, though, but they say they don't take it into account if you don't want them to?</p>

<p>DEFINITELY do the SAT-2s instead.</p>

<p>Another positive in your son's favor is the gender imbalance in the applicant pool. For the latest year with available stats, 70% more females than males applied; that translates into a huge bump for qualified males, since Conn's admission target seems to be to not let the gender imbalance not get to more than about 60/40. My D is interested in Conn, too, so I'm aware of this one :)</p>

<p>If I recall correctly, Conn asks for 3 SAT 2s...the scores he has so far seem fine, but he may need to take another</p>

<p>MarathonMan is right, your son's gender will be a big help a Connecticut College</p>

<p>Thanks - I had forgotten that. It seems so unfair for girls nowadays, doesn't it?</p>

<p>my sister is currently enrolled at Conn and worse on her SATs and SAT2s. she loves the school and is thrilled she was not accepted into her top choice and "settled" for Conn</p>

<p>Conn requires either the SAT I (to cover the writing requirement) plus 2 SAT II's OR 3 SAT II's, one of which must be writing.</p>

<p>Conn College no longer requires a writing SAT II, because there isn't one. The quote I put into post #4 is from the current Conn website. When we visited last year, they were quite clear that they did not require the SAT I, even with the writing section.</p>

<p>Adigal - Hi again! I would probably say have your son submit the 3 SAT II's, but seriously, I think his SAT I would be fine regardless. Conn is trying to manage the gender gap, as are many schools. So he will certainly have a leg up. My older D is a rising senior there (and absolutely loves it), but I often wonder if my younger one would have gotten in had she applied this year. Presently girls do have it pretty tough, they need to REALLY stand out. D1 had great scores on the SATI and II, D2 not so much. Although, she took the ACT and did much better on that than on any of the SAT's. Good luck to your son, I'm sure he'll be fine. We are so happy with Conn, I wished D2 would have applied, but their interests are so different..If you ever have any other questions PM me and I can try and answer them or ask D2. She is currently living in the dorms for the summer while doing an internship in Mystic, having the time of her life.</p>

<p>Thanks so much for the encouraging words - he is such an involved member of his school community, I know he would bring a lot to the campus, so I hope he is able to get in.</p>

<p>Adigal, my son got simiilar scores and got in...not enough money though so he couldn't go. I think he has a good chance. I know they are looking for males and diversity and they get a little push.</p>

<p>PS. no sat II's either</p>