Help?

Applying to College
1

Hi everyone,

I need help.
In high school, I had a 3.6 GPA (out of 4) and got a 1330 out of 1600 on the SAT. Problem is my SAT breakdown is 760 R+W, 560 M.
I was homeschooled, and in high school I was forced to graduate in 2013 with a math level below algebra I. (I was not given higher math.) When I decided college was my path, and computer science for a major, I took it upon myself to take classes at university to get myself to where I need to be from a math standpoint. While taking math classes to catch up, I also took college chemistry and computer science for credits that will transfer. I have a 4.0 GPA at this point. This semester I am taking pre calc (which is the base requirement math for most colleges I’ve looked at) along with physics and English.
My question is, even with all A’s in math and CS and science, would a college be able to overlook that abysmal SAT math score? To make matters worse, the SAT math score was about 50 points lower than all of my practice tests because I have anxiety and couldn’t handle the time pressure in the actual exam. I really want to go to a good school for computer science, but I am worried they will only see that SAT math score and write me off…even as a transfer. As far as extracurricular stuff goes, I have lots of volunteer work and work experience due to the few years it’s been since high school. (I am 20.)
I also have strong recommendations from my math teachers and computer science teachers.

Does anyone have experience with this?
I cannot retake the SAT because there isn’t enough time and I would just be subjecting myself to anxiety again.
Any suggestions for schools that are good that might take me?

2

You could look at test optional schools.

http://www.fairtest.org/university/optional

3

If you’ve taken post HS college courses, any bachelors program will look at how well you performed in those classes – much more than your HS work (including your SATs). You’ve done great and you’ll have colleges very excited to receive your transfer application. I don’t see why your current college wouldn’t enroll you into their Bachelors path.

4

Muhlenberg.
Sarah Lawrence
Schools that decry the tests, like Smith, Hampshire
Marlboro

5

I second Muhlenberg. I also suggest you go and visit and if it seems like a good fit make sure you interview and explain your story. They love to get to know their students before accepting them and you have a compelling story to tell. Best of luck to you!

6

4 options. Do one or do them all.

  1. apply to test optional colleges
  2. apply to colleges with test scores that align with your scores
  3. retake the SAT
  4. take the ACT
7

They would enroll me in the bachelor’s program here, T26E4, but I don’t want to because the CS program is not good.