How would colleges consider my tests?

Test Preparation
1

So you guys can get an idea of how good my scores are, I’m applying to Stanford, UC Berkeley, UC Davis, and SJSU.

I took the SAT and ACT both twice (my second SAT was the June SAT but I decided not to re-take it so that I can focus on other things in my life). Here are my scores:

1st SAT: 2060 (670 M, 670 CR, 720 W)
2nd SAT: 2130 (660 M, 730 CR, 740 W) - my score for the UC’s
Superscore: 2140 (670 M, 730 CR, 740 W) - my score for Stanford/SJSU

1st ACT: 35 (33 E, 32 M, 36 R, 35 S, 10 E) - highest composite
2nd ACT: 34 (36 E, 35 M, 35 R, 31 S, 10 E)
Superscore: 36 (36 E, 35 M, 36 R, 35 S, 10 E) - I know that my colleges don’t superscore but the numbers are there for their consideration, at least.

So, for Stanford and SJSU, I’m looking at a 2140 SAT and 35 (36 considered) ACT, while at the UC’s it will be a 2130 SAT and 35 (36 considered) ACT. Either way you look at it, there is a discrepancy between my scores; my ACT score is notably higher than my ACT.

My main question is this: In the same manner that Stanford/SJSU will overlook my lower SAT scores and the UC’s will overlook my 1st SAT, will any of the colleges overlook my SAT’s basically as a whole because my ACT is higher, or will it make them second-guess my higher ACT score?

2

@MasterLillyclaw I know that you have to submit your entire testing history (regardless of which test you take) for the UC system. Just go ahead and submit both.

3

Stanford’s policy is as as follows, and I think it benefits you

• All scores required
• If you take both tests, all scores are required from both
• Individual sections will be superscored*

They will focus on your highest individual section scores across all sittings for the SAT and your highest Composite and Combined English/Writing scores for the ACT Plus Writing.

4

@HereToHelpYou Will the fact that my SAT score is in a lower range than my ACT hurt me at all (at any college), or will they mainly look at my higher ACT score?

5

Only the higher score will be considered.

6

For anybody in the future who may come across this and want to know what happened because they are in a similar situation, I’m going to announce my college results as I discover.

Stanford: rejected

7

@MasterLillyclaw please update on UCB because I’m applying with 2010 SAT

8

@suly99 Can do! Once I find out, I’ll tag you in the post too so you can check.

9

New update! And it’s an exciting one for me :smiley:

San Jose State University: Accepted

10

Next update!
UC Davis: Accepted, and I got their Regent’s Scholarship ($30,000 over the course of four years) / am accepted into their Honors Program. Super excited :smiley:

11

Congrats, @MasterLillyclaw - that’s outstanding!

12

New update! SCU: accepted! Won’t find out about financial aid for about a week though, and I know I didn’t get their top scholarship, which means that I probably won’t be going there (too expensive without their merit aid).

13

I got 25,600 per year for SCU (Deans scholarship and a grant) but it’s still more expensive, so not going.

Last update (for schools):
UC Berkeley: accepted! No scholarships, tho, but still cool to have it as an option :smiley:

14

I officially accepted UCB’s admission decision! It feels so unreal @.@

Edit: Whoops, forgot to tag @suly99 to let them know I got into UCB!