<p>Ok, so this might've been asked before, but I want a definite answer.</p>
<p>I've taken the ACT already, and I did well. A 35 to be exact. I thought I would be done with the ACT/SAT for good, but one of my friends was telling me that you virtually have to take the SAT for east coast colleges (particularly the ivies). Now, the problem is, I am a lot worse at the SAT comparatively. I don't think I'm even going to be a semifinalist for NMSQT. With a lot of studying I might be able to get a 2200. </p>
<p>So... is my friend right? Because if he is, I better sign up soon. According to this source, <a href="http://money.howstuffworks.com/personal-finance/college-planning/admissions/ivy-league-admissions1.htm">http://money.howstuffworks.com/personal-finance/college-planning/admissions/ivy-league-admissions1.htm</a> , 98% of accepted Harvard students submitted SAT scores. </p>
<p>As long as you took the ACT with writing you will be fine…they have no preference. However, if you wish to assuage your worries it wouldn’t hurt to take the SAT.</p>
<p>But that lower SAT score that I’ll most likely get (no way am I going to get a 2330 on the SAT) could hurt me right?</p>
<p>My advice is don’t bother. There is no way of knowing how every little detail will affect your outcome. You seem convinced that in the very least, the SAT score will not benefit your application. </p>
<p>Harvard and every other major school on the east coast claim to have no preference and that only one or the other is required. Is it possible that you run into some old school adcom that, in contrast to the stated policy, looks down their nose at the ACT? I suppose so. But do you think such an adcom would be impressed by a 25%ish SAT score compared to a 75%ish ACT score? Even if you run into such a person, how does it help your application? It doesn’t.</p>
<p>You cannot control how every aspect of your application will be received, but you can put your best foot forward. That seems to be the ACT score for you.</p>
<p>PS the super selective schools reject almost everyone anyhow, by definition. It is not likely your ACT score will be either your undoing or doing.</p>
<p>Are you junior? Did you take PSAT? If you are Junior and have PSAT score above NMSF cutoff in your state, you should take SAT. It is not for the schools on the East Coast as ACT 35 would be good enough for that. It is for NMSC verification. Otherwise, I don’t see the reason for taking SAT.</p>
<p>@YZamyatin , Alright that sounds reasonable. 25%ish SAT will prolly have the same effect as an adcom who doesn’t like ACTs (hopefully there aren’t any) and sees the 35. Your logic makes sense. Plus, I really don’t want to waste another Saturday morning taking a god awful test.</p>
<p>@billcsho , I am a junior, and I did take the PSAT. However, looking at past NMSF cutoffs for my state, there is probably a 90% chance I won’t make it. I may be commended though. </p>
<p>Looks like no SAT for me… thank god. Thanks guys. If anyone has a counterargument I’d love to hear it.</p>
<p>They say that SAT and ACT are worth the same but I dunno. As you yourself previously listed, “98% Harvard admits submitted SAT score” It is probably a good idea to spend some time on the SAT. I mean you have an entire summer ahead of you if you chose to study for it. I was in a similar predicament (not doing so hot on the SAT and doing well on the ACT) I went ahead and started studying for it. June… test… gulp. </p>
<p>But as the people above me said, I highly doubt not having an SAT score would destroy your chances or even moderately affect them. However, if you have the time, it probably wouldn’t hurt to study and do well. </p>
<p>You have an amazing ACT. If you took it with writing, you are solid. Adcoms are not trying to trick you. They state their testing requirements very clearly. Instead of worrying and wasting time on the SAT, you should use that time to prep and ace any SAT IIs that might relate to your strengths or intended major. </p>
<p>As @Kreig01 stated, if you took the test with writing then you are done. Colleges will NOT lie on their sites about taking both the ACT and SAT. @billcsho has mentioned the only reason to take the SAT - to verify a high PSAT score for National Merit.</p>
<p>@Messifan07 , First off, I like your name lol (I’m a barcelona fan). And secondly, on a more serious note, I hope you’re right in that it doesn’t affect my chances (hopefully not at all). I still don’t think I’ll take it. I’m pretty complacent, and I’ve got SAT IIs to study for. The percentages are a bit scary, but I don’t think colleges are trying to trick us. </p>
<p>@Afg2014 , that’s what I was thinking. I’ve signed up for a few SAT IIs in June, and I plan on doing well.</p>
<p>@"Erin’s Dad" , I did take it with writing, and I got a 10. That’s a good enough writing score I think. Your assertiveness is convincing… just have to hope you are in fact correct.</p>
<p>I suppose the high admit rate of people who only took the SAT or both the SAT and ACT is simply because there is a lot of interest from the coasts for these top notch ivy leagues? Or at least more so than in the Midwest?</p>
<p>Yes, that bias is mainly due to geographical and historical reasons. My D did take both SAT and ACT but performed better in ACT (same score as you). At the end, the SAT I score was not helpful although it was 2200+ but SAT2 was. We would have saved the money if she got the ACT score before registering for SAT1.</p>
<p>Don’t listen to your friend. 35 ACT is top tier…do the writing portion if needed. Congrats, you have taken care of the most important factor. Now do what you can to further differentiate yourself in your ECs if you feel a need to. </p>
<p>There is really no point in allocating any more time or money to the SAT. I’m willing to bet that Harvard and Stanford have accepted students with lower ACT scores than yours. All your score indicates is that you are among the highest standardized test scores and need to be evaluated on your other aspects. </p>
<p>If you were just trying to raise a score, I would advise you to do as above and go for the ECs.</p>
<p>It is true that some schools prefer SAT over ACT and vice-versa. A sharp kid like you will do fine. It is not like you are trying to get a better score, you are just proving that you can do well in both formats and assuage any concerns when committees meet. Some individuals on those committees are still prejudiced for one test or another. No reason not to take it, plenty of reasons to take it. If you got a 35, there is no reason to do extra prep. Just take the test. No stress. You already have a great score, so for those who don’t care about which test you take you are golden. Nothing to lose.</p>
<p>@Johnny H, I think that you’re right; I definitely need to focus on ECs. However, I would not be prepping for the SAT to such an extent that it would take away from time to focus on ECs - so that is not as much of an issue. As for the value of standardized test scores, I completely agree with you. They simply indicate whether or not you are qualified for the school’s academics. </p>
<p>@Tourveaux, If I were to take the SAT, I would do as you say. I’d be relaxed and wouldn’t have prepped much (maybe take a few practice tests), but do you think the a score around 2200 will negate or “bring down” my 35? I guarantee you I won’t do as well on the SAT. Also, I believe some top schools require you to submit ALL of your scores, so if I end up not wanting to submit it, I have no choice but to do just that.</p>
<p>Don’t. Same boat as you, skipped the SAT. Most likely gonna be a waste of time if you’re not getting NMSF</p>
<p>A 2200 doesn’t translate to a 35. So don’t. Nuff said.</p>
<p>Ok thanks guys. This thread is done. 
</p>
<p>
This is just not true. All colleges accept either. Only one college professes a preference, and that is a CA college for the ACT.</p>
<p>i had given my sat subject in june and i got 730 in math1, 720 in math2 and 720 in chem and ia m going to give my act exam in september … are these sat scores good enogh for reach colleges…i am also taking the sat in october </p>
<p>what would be a good score on the sat and act
are the sat 2 very important in case of admission or will these scores do…
if i get a 34+ in act and 2200+ in the sat will it be enough for the high reach colleges …</p>