i am below a colleges median 50%?

<p>what happens if im below a colleges median 50% or 25th-75th percentile in sat scores? its by like 30 points in the reading section and 10 points in the math section...the writing section however im up pretty high......im applying to a university that is moderately difficult to get into...i have a high gpa..3.65....and sports as extra curriculars and 15 hours of community service for my church..24/157 in class...do i still have a good chance of getting in or am i pretty much a qualifier for the waitlist</p>

<p>Half of the students at that college are below the schools 50th percentile, and one in four was below the 25th percentille
/obviousfact</p>

<p>You have to consider who those under the 25th persentile are in general. Start with recruited athletes, throw in legacies and URMs--all groups that can have below average stats at most colleges--and you're talking 40% of the class.</p>

<p>It depends on the school you are looking at. Don't believe people that say you need outstanding SAT scores in order to gain entry into the school of your choice. I was in the lowest percentile for SAT scores yet I was accepted into a state university my first year due to my essay on why my SAT scores were not an accurate reflection of my ability as a student.</p>

<p>Your GPA is fine and if you have a lot of extra circulars and community service, you shouldn't have a problem getting into a decent school. If you feel that your SAT scores are low, then just explain that in your essays and/or interviews.</p>

<p>Also, don't believe that the lower 25% are generally athletes, legacies, and URMs. Many students from these groups are in the upper 25% as well as the middle 50%.</p>

<p>From a recent article:</p>

<p>Michele Hernandez, nationally known private college admissions consultant located in Vermont. Author of the book A is Admissions: The Insider's Guide to Getting into the Ivy League and Other Top Colleges and former admissions officer at Dartmouth College</p>

<p>“40 percent of every Ivy League school is filled up with special cases: athletes, minorities, low-income, legacies or development cases. They’re tagged, and schools lower the admissions standards a lot for those kids.</p>

<p>This is the case at most selective schools.</p>

<p>lol hmom what you just posted are "ivy leagues" ...and trust me what im applying to is not n ivy league lol</p>

<p>At my state unis, there are very very recruited athletes, very few develpment cases, etc. At the non selective privates, ability to pay is going to be a big plus this year.</p>

<p>kay: from what I hear, you are very spot on.....add ED to that and there are some in these parts that believe ED and even RD admission rates for those that can pay full freight at some of those will surpass rates of recent classes significantly.....</p>

<p>Yes, what my GC told me to do is not even release FAFSA (oh yeah, my EFC was 99,999) to schools, just check no aid requested. Do not even let them think we might need aid. If needed for merit, do not send in until after admit.</p>

<p>Whether a school is an ivy or not, unless we're talking MIT and Caltech, all schools have recruited athletes, legacies (except some state schools) and URMs. There will always be a large percentage of candidates that are admitted to meet institutional needs. It is those students who comprise most of the group with below 25th percentile stats everywhere.</p>

<p>and not all athletes score below the 25th percentile...your pretty much making the assumption that all athletes score low on standardized tests</p>

<p>Chrobak, I do NOT assume all althletes score low on standardized tests. I do think that the smart ones make the most of both their athletic and academic prowess, and on average parlay into their choice of school.</p>

<p>that wasn't directed towards you kayf...it was directed towards hmom sorry lol...but anyway i just called the admissions office and i was notified that "ball state" the college in which i just applied to is looking for a minimum of 1300/2400 on the sats. so i think im good? i got a 1410..ya laugh it off</p>

<p>bump............................</p>

<p>How can 40 percent of the class be below the 25th percentile? There is some error of reasoning here.</p>

<p>bumpkins...</p>

<p>
[quote]
do i still have a good chance of getting in

[/quote]
</p>

<p>People lower in the measurable statistics most likely have a lower chance of getting in. Yes, apply if you are interested, but also apply to a college that you like that is a sure bet for admission.</p>

<p>"You have to consider who those under the 25th persentile are in general. Start with recruited athletes, throw in legacies and URMs--all groups that can have below average stats at most colleges--and you're talking 40% of the class."</p>

<p>hmom5; I need a little help . Can you spell out the math here? I'm curious because my D, URM, had math a reading in the 25th but writing in the 75th. Is that why 40 percent can be reflected in 25 percent? In case you can't tell, I did no better them my D in math...</p>

<p>OK, on further reading ,I think you mean 40 percent of Ivy League have "hooks" Are you saying there is data to show what percentage of students with hooks leave academic stats in the bottom 25 percent? I think I can believe that, but wonder if, like my D, they may have one or two parts in the bottom, and one or two parts in the middle or above. it wonder what this would mean for folks like the OP.</p>

<p>"I was in the lowest percentile for SAT scores yet I was accepted into a state university my first year due to my essay on why my SAT scores were not an accurate reflection of my ability as a student."</p>

<p>Vehicle; how do you know that (the subject of your essay) was why you where accepted?</p>