<p>Okay, so I'm going to be a senior this year and I'm starting my college apps. I am applying to UC Berkeley(reach school, I know), UCLA (reach school), UCSB, UCSD, UCI, Pepperdine, LMU, and San Diego state. I have taken the ACT 3 times and my highest composite is a 28 because science brings me down... ugh. I also have taken many honors/ap classes and have done well. My GPA weighted is a 3.9 and weighted it's a 4.2 or something like that. This year I am taking 4 AP classes and Im also extremely involved (Varsity cheer captain, student council president, Vice president of rotary club, secretary of class board, FCA leader, and a lot more...). As you can see I'm pretty busy.. oh and did I mention I have a single mom and 3 younger siblings? Okay so I am aware that I need to take SAT subject tests to get into some of these schools so I will be taking those in October. My question is should I take the actual SAT? I dont think I will do better than I did on the ACT so I just think it's pointless. I feel like everyone who applies to these schools take the SAT though.. but with how busy I am this year I feel like I don't have the proper amount of time to prepare. I know I should've taken care of this my junior year. Will it affect my chances because on all of their websites it says you can take either or? I just need help I'm stressed. Please give me advice! I live in Illinois if that makes a difference but my dad lives in California.</p>
<p>East and West Coast schools used to prefer (even require) the SAT while the ACT was a more midwest exam. I imagine that if a school web site says that either exam is acceptable then that is the case. One thing to consider is that you might find that you do better on the SAT than the ACT. My son had that happen.</p>
<p>You have several issues to consider:</p>
<p>1) The issue is your score of 28 on the ACT; you may want to take the SAT just to see if you can get a decent score because the California schools are already ultra competitive. </p>
<p>2) Another issue that you have Illinois residency. So you don’t qualify for in-state residency or tuition.
According p. 21 of UC Residence Policy
<a href=“UC Legal - Office of the General Counsel | UCOP
Parents’ Permanent Separation or Divorce
If a minor student’s parents are separated or divorced, the residence of the parent with whom the minor maintains his principal place of abode will be considered the residence of the minor.
The principal place of abode is typically the residence of the parent with whom the student spends the majority of his/her time. For example, the principal place of abode for a student who spends the school year with one parent and summers with the other would be the home of the parent with whom the student lives during the school year.
A minor student will derive residence through a California-resident parent only if s/he begins living with the parent prior to reaching the age of majority. The parent must satisfy all applicable residence requirements. The student must provide clear and convincing evidence that s/he changed their domicile to the California- resident parent’s home prior to the student’s 18th birthday.”</p>
<p>3) Another issue is that you require financial aid. The State of California’s public schools do not provide need-based aid to non-residents. Your ACT score of 28 will not qualify you for any merit aid at the UCs or Cal States. You will be paying full fees so, for the UC’s that means $55,000 to $60K, the Cal States about $36K. It doesn’t sound like you can afford that. </p>
<p>So, I would recommend that you apply to the California privates (Pepperdine, LM, Clairemont Colleges, Westmont) and see if they offer anything, but you’re going to have to show some competitive test scores. </p>
<p>My son’s school suggested they take practice tests in both, to see which they do better at. Often students do better at one or the other. My son did horribly on the ACT but very high on the SAT. </p>
<p>Can you check with your high school counseling office to see if they have a practice SAT test you can take? If you find you do very well, it may be worth the prep and taking the actual exam.</p>