Good GPA, low SAT score?

Test Preparation
1

To put it short, I have a 3.63 UW GPA and a garbage SAT score of 1070.

I’m currently a senior and I’m really freaking out at this point. I’m taking the SAT for a second time on October 10th and I’ve signed up to take the ACT on October 27th so there might be hope but I still can’t shake the feeling that I won’t improve. I’m considering also signing up to take the November 3rd SAT as well and I’m hoping that maybe I can bring my score up to at least 1100.

My number one choice is UC Davis but now I feel like they won’t even consider me because of my SAT score or any of the other colleges I’m planning on applying to besides my safety colleges.

I have a 3.63 GPA and I’m taking a total of 9 AP classes and I have okay extracurriculars (4 years of xc/track, 3 years on varsity xc/2 years on varsity track, some clubs, and volunteering)

My GPA is by no means impressive but I still think that it’s okay so would colleges be willing to overlook my SAT for this and my extracurriculars or am I screwed if I don’t get my SAT scores up? How much of a red flag is a low SAT combined with a good GPA?

2

Try looking here: http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/freshman/california-residents/admissions-index/index.html

If you are a CA resident you have a fantastic backup in attending a CCC and transferring to a UC later.

3

The CA public U’s are pretty stats-focused, although a strong GPA and weak SAT is definitely better than the other way around. What do you want to study? It’s definitely a good option to TAG into UCD if you don’t get in there as a freshman and don’t like your other options. Although, there are also good four-year options that you’d be qualified for in the CA public system. What is your weighted/capped UC GPA? https://rogerhub.com/gpa-calculator-uc/

What do you want to study?
What are your financial constraints? Will you qualify for need-based financial aid?

Depending on your $ situation and on what you’re looking for in a school, you may find good options among the OOS public U’s that participate in the WUE reciprocity program http://wue.wiche.edu/search1.jsp … and/or… you may want to look at some test-optional private schools. Whitman College in WA might hit the sweet-spot for you - good fit for your GPA/EC profile, test-optional, and decent financial aid. Also Occidental College in LA. And there are lots more test-optional colleges on the east coast if you’re interested in going that far. (Also “test-flexible” schools which would work for you if you’ve done well on AP tests - they would consider your AP scores in place of your SAT/ACT.)