How much do good SAT and AP scores help?

Colleges & Universities A-Z University of Notre Dame
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<p>I am an average student grade wise with a GPA around a 92.5. I got a 680 CR, 800 Math, 660 W on my first SAT plus 5's on AP Lang and Comp, AP Biology, AP U.S. History, AP Psychology, and on AP European History. I got a 31 comp (34 eng, 32 Math) without preparing - I didn't realize how time constrained it was and I couldn't answer the last couple questions in Math nor read the last passage in Reading. I am also an eagle scout, Varsity Crew, semi-active in Youth Court, big into competitive High School Sailing, Science Olympiad 2 years (treasurer), tutoring club. What are my chances at getting into a school like Notre Dame? How much does an 800 on the Math section factor into the admissions decision? Does being Catholic positively affect my application? If my two older brothers both attend Notre Dame does that factor in (bc you are supposed to write it on you app)? Should I apply EA or not?</p>

<p>Thanks. ~~/) ~~/) ~~/)</p>

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<p>Your AP scores are awesome, and a 2140 is a solid SAT score. I would definitely advise retaking the SAT in October. ND will only consider your top score for each section, regardless of what sitting it was from. In other words, your Math score can’t go down, but your CR and W can only go up. If you can, get a practice book review and work through some CR and W sample tests. The questions on the W section tend to follow a pattern, and there are strategies to boost your CR score (i.e. read the questions first, then look in the passage for the answers). Your ACT English score is really good, and I’d be willing to bet that you could crack a 700 on CR/W on the SAT with a little practice. </p>

<p>The 800 on Math is impressive, and will definitely reflect positively in your application. Test scores aren’t everything, however. Grades and class rank are both very important. A 92.5 is a good GPA, however, it’s probably a little bit on the lower side for ND. It sounds like you’ve taken a strong courseload with lots of APs, which helps. </p>

<p>I’m an incoming freshman. I had a good, but not amazing, GPA and took a heavy courseload. I scored a 680M, and 800s on CR and W. I was initially waitlisted, then admitted in early May. The only reason I say this is to support the fact that test scores are NOT everything. Extracurriculars, service, letters of recommendation and essays are HUGE parts of the application process…if you haven’t started thinking about those essays yet, try to start brainstorming! At this point, essays, test scores, and first semester grades are the three parts of your application that you still have a large degree of control over. Keep chugging at them! </p>

<p>About 80% of ND students are Catholic; however, they do not consider religion when reviewing your application. If you’re very involved in community service or parish life, though, they will take note of that. </p>

<p>There is a spot on the application where you can state that you have siblings who attend ND. I’m pretty sure that legacy status only applies for children/grandchildren of ND alums, but I could be wrong–if anyone else knows for sure, please post :slight_smile: </p>

<p>If you’re not sure whether to apply EA or RD, you can call your local admissions counselor and introduce yourself. They’d be more than happy to advise you. If you’re planning on retaking any tests, raise first semester grades, write essays, and/or are going to get involved in more activities between now and December…I’d recommend RD. </p>

<p>I think you definitely have a chance at being admitted; keep working hard and hang in there. Best of luck! :)</p>

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<p>If I raise my grades considerably in the beginning of my senior year, how much will that weigh into the admissions decision. If I apply EA will they still look at my grades from senior year - presumably from first quarter - and would it factor less than if I waited until RD and had another quarter/full semester? Both of my older brothers applied EA and got in so I have some family pressure to apply EA. </p>

<p>Thanks for the advice.</p>

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<p>Oh, by the way, do you have any advice on how to perfect the sentence completion questions for the SAT CR. I got a total of 9 questions wrong on CR, seven of which were sentence completion questions. Did you study vocabulary, I feel as that would be mildly ineffectual as there are so many words and no discernible pattern. If you could recommend study tips or mc strategies I would be much obliged. </p>

<p>Thanks.</p>