<p>I have looked in to the college I want to go to and I have noticed that my GPA is above there average, but my SAT scores are below there average. I have pretty good extracurriculars and everything else. Is my low SAT score going to prevent me from getting into my top school. I plan on writing an excellent essay as well. Any feedback would be very much appreciated!</p>
<p>Could you tell me your scores? That would help me give you some detailed feedback 
If you dont want to put them on here, just inbox message me :)</p>
<p>1620 SAT 540M 550W 530R. Pretty bad right… I am going to be retaking in October, but there is no guarantee I will do better. I really hope I do though @vs1997</p>
<p>At the VERY selective schools, the kids at the lower end of the SAT range often have some special quality: elite talent or leadership, recrited athlete, development case; URM.</p>
<p>Top school is UNC Chapel Hill and I am in state. Not applying Ivy League or anything</p>
<p>For colleges, the primary concern with applicants who have a high GPA but low SAT score is that they are taking an easy courseload that “inflates” their GPA. I’m definitely not suggesting that you did so, but you should know that schools, in particular highly selective schools, will very likely follow that train of thought. It sucks, I know, since not everyone is great at standardized testing (I personally disliked the SAT as well).</p>
<p>The good news is that your situation is not the worst that colleges can/will see. For example, if you had a high SAT score but low GPA, colleges will wonder if you’re simply too lazy to put in the effort to do well in school. Also, a low SAT score is <em>much</em> easier to fix than a low GPA. You’ll have to put in a lot of work and should probably start right away but with enough effort and dedication, you can definitely pull it up. Another option is ACT, if you really struggle with the SAT. I’m no expert, but I do know that many students perform much better on one than the other.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>I would not say I took an easy course load. I will have 9 AP classes by the end of senior year and will have taken 3 or 4 dual enrollment classes. Everything else is mainly honors. I just suck at standardized tests. @WhiteTopaz </p>
<p>Even better! It’s great that you have visible proof that you are a bright student. Like I said before, standardized tests aren’t for everyone and are sometimes poor measurements of an individual’s aptitude. However, I would still suggest that you try your hardest to pull that SAT up a little or consider taking the ACT if it’s available. It can only help your application.</p>
<p>Act. I think the sat is not your thing likely, take the act at least once.</p>
<p>I took the ACT once. I got in like the same range…</p>
<p>You will definetely raise your score 2nd time around</p>
<p>You could increase your chances by learning the difference between in to and into and between their and there and using them correctly. Proper punctuation also could help. Yes, these things matter.</p>
<p>Sorry. I know how to use proper punctuation. I do not pay attention to what I write on here though. Thank you grammar nazi @Wordworker </p>
<p>Question for anyone reading this. Do you think it is possible to raise my SAT score from 1620 to at least an 1800 by October? Any tips on how could do this. I think getting at least an 1800 will help my chances a lot for the colleges I want to apply to.</p>
<p>There is no standard in GPA. So 4.0 in one school may mean less than 3.7 at another school. So you should not really reply on the GPA. When you have a high GPA but a low test score, it may suggest inflated grades at school too. In any case, you do need to improve your test score a lot if you want to apply to UNC.</p>
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<p>Tip #1 (as a parent of a recent HS graduate). Get Enough Sleep!! (and not just the night before, but for two or three nights before). I saw scores vary 100s of points just because of that. Teenagers are notorious for not getting enough sleep.</p>
<p>I have not gone through all 10 practice tests. I think that is going to be my focus for the next few weeks before school starts</p>
<p>CR: practice practice practice study vocab if it’s a problem.
Writing: study the 5 basic rules and study</p>
<p>Yes, you can raise your score in a couple months. I took the Sat for the first time in January, and got a 1550, then I took it again in May and got a 1900. No additional studying or different prep, just I knew what to expect. I’m retaking it again in November to boost my writing so hopefully I can break into the 2000s…best of luck! </p>
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What is your GPA? Do know your ranking, or where your GPA places you in your class? Top 5%? Top 10%? Also, if you suck at tests, do you receive extended time for your school tests? And how did you do on those 9 AP’s?</p>