High ACT vs. Low SAT vs. High GPA @ Top Schools

Test Preparation
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<p>Hi everyone, I'm a rising senior and I've been looking into the college application process, but I've been getting a bit worried over my stats.</p>

<p>I've taken the SAT before and received a 1950, but I've taken the ACT (w/writing) before and received a pretty decent 33. For subject tests, I received a 710 in both chem & math 2, and I'm hoping to go to college and study engineering.</p>

<p>I know my test scores are a bit on the lower end, but my GPA is rather high--I'm salutatorian at my school and I've taken the most challenging classes--4.0 unweighted--especially in the math/science field, I'm taking Organic Chemistry this coming year, Honors Physics, as well as Multivariable Calc/Linear Algebra.</p>

<p>Out of the many schools that I'm applying to, the more prestigious schools include: Cornell, Dartmouth, UPenn, UChicago, Carnegie Mellon, WUSTL, and Princeton (dream/unlikely).</p>

<p>As I'm starting the application process, I'm wondering, for the high-end schools that accept both the ACT and the SAT, if I should just go ahead and submit only my ACT along with the 710 subject test scores? How would it look to these colleges? If I submit the SAT too, wouldn't that only weaken my application? </p>

<p>(I'm of course, planning on retaking some of these, but for now, this is what I have and my current stats will be my worst case scenario if I don't improve.)</p>

<p>Replies would be much appreciated! </p>

<p>Sincerely,
Arafyran</p>

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<p>you have a 33 on your ACT thats great ! just don’t submit you SAT unless the school you are applying to require it and most school require one or the other, or just study and retake and you should be fine. your situation is way better of than mine so be grateful lol</p>

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<p>I agree that your ACT outshines your SAT performance by FAR. Keep in mind, though, that some schools require the applicant’s ENTIRE testing history to be reported. I know that UPenn for sure does this; you might want to research some of the other schools on your list to double-check. I’d just hate for your application to be thrown out simply because you didn’t report your entire testing history.</p>

<p>Good luck with applications!</p>

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<p>What was the break down for the SAT?</p>

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<p>Thank you for replying everyone.
Yes, I will definitely be retaking the SAT since, like you said, cowboycliche022, some schools want everything reported no matter what. </p>

<p>SAT: 660 Reading 680 Math 610 Writing; I believe I got a 8 on the essay? </p>

<p>Pretty bad, I know. My ACT was much better: 36 Math, 35 English, 34 Reading, 28 Science, and 11 Writing.</p>

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<p>^how did you study for your ACT?</p>

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<p>Please be sure to reach each and every college’s web site carefully regarding test scores and especially how they define their “all test scores” requirement (if they have one). Most of the schools don’t mean all scores from both SAT I and ACT <subject tests=“” are=“” a=“” different=“” topic,=“” this=“” discussion=“” is=“” limited=“” to=“” the=“” main=“” admission=“” test=“” score=“” you=“” submit,=“” whether=“” sat=“” i=“” or=“” act=“”>. Usually, the “all scores” requirement means, if you decide to go with SAT, then you have to submit all sittings of the SAT. You would not submit ACT. Flip it, same result, i.e., if your ACT is your best score, then if you took it multiple times, you have to submit all ACT scores, but not SAT.</subject></p>

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<p>Thanks everyone again for replying.
@ ehrud1004, I read an entire ACT book (by Kaplan’s, I believe) the night before (wasn’t too hard, and by that time, I was so used to a junior-sleeping-studying-lifestyle that I was completely fine the next day hahaa). Mind you, I completely forgot all those test-taking tips from that book (the consequences of cramming) now, but I’m prepared to spend a bit more time then before on studying. :slight_smile: Good luck in your studies!</p>

<p>Thanks TXArtemis–By any chance, are you including UPenn in your suggestion of test score submissions?</p>