I am currently in the process of formulating my college list but find myself having a quite difficult time. In regards to my application, my extra curriculars are great (this is not only my opinion) and I have above a 4.0 GPA (not sure of the exact number at the moment but unweighted it is a 3.88). However, my 1830 SAT score is a big set back for me. While I do plan on taking the test for a second time in October, I’m still unsure. Even though it may sound childish or unrealistic, I’ve always pictured myself attending an “elite” school. Are there any elite colleges that I should consider taking a chance and applying to despite my score? If you have any recommendations, please let me know. Thank you!
Idk how elite you’re looking for, but you may want to look at test optional schools like Wake Forest and Bowdoin. They’re both great.
Try the ACT. Some people do better on one test vs. the other.
As for ‘chances’ with a low SAT, take a look at the Common Data Set, Section C for each school to which you are considering applying. You will quickly figure out where you have a realistic chance of getting in and where you are throwing money away.
Yeah, I’m afraid that with that SAT score, elite schools that aren’t test-optional are extreme longshots (depending, of course, on your definition of “elite”).
Check out Wesleyan University. It is an amazing test-optional school that has this “anti-standardized test” attitude.
Pitzer (one of the Claremont Colleges in CA) seems to be test-optional. What kinds of academic courses are you taking in HS? If your academic coursework isn’t fairly rigorous, you’re unlikely to be a good candidate for elite schools.
People here have named some great schools but often aren’t that well known across the nation.
I’m guessing that this student is thinking about different schools. I think he’s thinking about the Ivy League schools, MIT, Stanford, etc…the schools that are well-known to everyone.
Anyway, it’s time for a reality check. The tippy top schools require top SAT or ACT scores and it’s not likely that you’re going to raise your 1830 to a 2230+ anytime soon. And, even if you did, getting accepted is still like winning the lottery. Those schools will get a gazillion apps from kids who are like you or even more impressive than you.
You’re a kid. Kids typically picture themselves with things that are familiar to them. That’s why they’ll picture themselves as doctors, lawyers, engineers, etc, because those careers are very familiar to them. Same with colleges. Kids have heard about Harvard and Stanford and Princeton and MIT, so they picture themselves going there.
Now you need a strategy so that you can happily picture yourself ELSEWHERE.
What is your home state?
What is your major?
How much will your parents pay? If you don’t know, ask them. THAT ANSWER will likely determine where you should apply.
Do you have a non-custodial parent?
That SAT score will keep you out of the seriously elite schools (aka top 40-50 or so national universities) that are not test-optional. Why not look at some test-optional schools? Not as “elite” as Harvard, but there are some really good ones. Check out fairtest.org to see some options. Otherwise, you’re really going to have to give up on that “elite” college idea unless you somehow raise that SAT score about 300-400 points.
Beside the test optional schools, you may have a shot at some honors colleges if you bring that score up as well as colleges that change lives,like Reed, Whitman, or st Olaf, which are academically very strong although a 3.88gpa wouldn’t be out of place.
The key question is how much your parents can afford and how that compares to your efc.