<p>I know most of the colleges say they take either SAT or ACT.
and that they count'em as equally as each other.</p>
<p>but here's my question: I got 2080 on the SAT and 34 on the ACT (around 2260 if changed to SAT) and as you can see they differ quite a bit. So isn't it reasonable for colleges to be a bit suspicious and question the validity of my intellectual aptitude (or the tests themselves)? I just have this weird gut feeling that colleges slightly prefer the SAT over the ACT although they say they don't on the surface.<br>
Well, I guess no one knows unless you're the admission person.</p>
<p>I think the tests each have their own merits but the problem lies within the "conversion" chart out there, which imo is not wholly accurate. I wouldn't at all be surprised if admissions used a different translation of the two tests, if they did at all, to make it a more reflective estimation of one's abilities on the other test.</p>
<p>I suspect "disadvantaged" applicants are more likely to get the benefit of the ACT</p>
<p>The ACT score itself is very problematic - as for example a single point can represent quite large jumps in the the SAT - for example 40 points at a time</p>
<p>oh sorry I didn't say clearly; I also have SATII scores so I have to send SATI as well. but argghh is my SATI score gonna hurt me that much? damn then I guess I should take this October SAT and try to bring it as high as my ACT score, which I think is impossible. damnit!</p>
<p>I have another question: when colleges view my ACT score, do they also consider where I'm from? In other words, does it make a difference if I live in NJ or Texas (with the exact same score)?</p>
<p>yes it makes a difference sine most schools want diversity. so for example, if you're from Mississippi and are applying to Harvard and have an ACT of 34, and someone else is from Massachussets and applying to Harvard with the same score, and you both have very similar stats/essays/resume/etc, most likely they'll choose you over him.</p>
<p>Dream:
Submit your SAT and your ACT scores. The school will not hold the lesser (hardly lesser!) score against you but will utilize the best score to the advantage of both you and the school.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, you need to relax about the scores. Schools are building communities so that even perfect scores, perfect gpas, mutliple ECs and great recs get rejected. Schools look for uniqueness, passion, and personality. They get tons of kids with the great gpas, scores, etc and have to decide among huge amounts of applications--compounded this year by the peak of the echo baby boom.</p>
<p>so work on your essays, get great recs, have safety schools and a wide variety of schools you wouldn't mind attending and hope for the best. you've done very well on the scores so quit obsessing.</p>
<p>"The ACT score itself is very problematic - as for example a single point can represent quite large jumps in the the SAT - for example 40 points at a time"</p>
<p>Doesn't College Board also give 'score ranges' that are +-30 points of your real score and say that's really more indicative of your real-life performance?
Do colleges consider that +-30?</p>