<p>I'm a good student and I've always worked hard for my grades. IB and top 6% of my class. I had about a 4.3 GPA due to IB weighted my Junior year. I just got my grades and I have all A's this year. Last year I was ranked 38 out of around 4000 students, probably even better currently. I'm also on my Tennis varsity team, NHS, Key Club Officer, BETA Club, NAHS, and have done many volunteer activities. I have also taken 2 extra science courses. I retook my SAT in October and I really thought that I had done a lot better on it. But I ended up completely shocked that my scores barely changed, and even lowered in Math and Writing. With my scores combined these are my best scores:</p>
<p>CR 630
M 550
W 570</p>
<p>So I got a 1750 overall. :[
Is this really going to hurt my chances to get into the colleges I'm looking at? The colleges I really like are Emory, Duke, University of Chicago and Elon University. These are my top choices. I have others that are lower just in case. So, what are your opinions? I'm really worried. And if you care to, what colleges do you suggest for someone with my scores and interests in science? Thanks.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, yes, your scores will hurt you. Unless you are a URM those scores make schools like Duke and Chicago massive reaches for you. I’m curious why your math in particular is so low considering your high rank and grades. Do you freeze up during tests? You should try to figure out what the root of your “low” scores is… and practice, practice, practice! Familiarize yourself with the test. </p>
<p>Also, the SAT might not be right for you. Some people do much better on the ACT… females especially (not sure if your a girl or a guy)… </p>
<p>My recommendation is:
Take a practice ACT. If your SAT scores are after studying, and you find yourself getting in the 25-26 range on the ACT without studying, then you should focus your efforts on improving your ACT score. If you can get up to even just a 30 ACT after studying, you will greatly improve your chances at some of those schools.</p>
<p>Well my first impression is that you are a good student nonetheless…IB Diploma is certainly something that will matter…it is really challenging and since your grades are good, your transcript will be really powerfull! Also, your extracurricular activities make you look special…Yet, SATs are a problem…Even though they are not the only thing, they matter a lot…
It’s not like you can’t get in these colleges, but SAT scores make it hard for you…My advice would be take the ACT, sat might just not be the thing for you, and write an outstanding essay…That will greatly increase your chances…
BTW I was at Columbia yesterday and they told us that they admitted a student with 1750…Hope this will lighten you up a bit!!</p>
<p>Well that’s a good thing, lol. Maybe there is hope for me. Columbia is nice. :]</p>
<p>I took my ACT last week so maybe I’ll do better on it. I really hope so. I’ve already sent in my SAT scores, if I send in a good ACT hopefully that will help them overlook it. (should I send in ACT’s to colleges along with my SATs?) Yeah, I know they most likely will not over look it. I’m definitely only sending in ACT and writing for Duke though.</p>
<p>Thanks for the feedback! I don’t know what happened with my math score. When I took my PSAT a few years ago I totally aced it in the 700s. So hopefully my ACT score from the test I took last week will help. If not, I’ll just have to hope for the best. Me being a girl may help my case, lol. ;)</p>
<p>Your story made me feel better. Sometimes a good student and high GPA doesn’t mean high SAT score.
D is junior and 2nd year IB student( yes, she will get her diploma before her senior year). She just got her SAT score and it is far below her expectation. She is shocked too.</p>
<p>It’s good to know I’m not the only one. I’ve been looking around on this site and the scores people are getting outright depress me. I know I’m smart, but the SAT is different. Probably the whole atmosphere and stress. I don’t understand why I didn’t do well on it this time since I was really confident afterward, especially on the Math section. To have it drop even lower was completely shocking. Hopefully colleges will look past test grades.</p>
<p>The IB will help a lot but not enough to overcome the SAT scores at these schools except Elon, who will try to see who you are as a person. So if you have interests beyond school and can articulate why you and Elon would be a good match, then I would advise you to apply EA (your best bet) and see what happens. </p>
<p>Remember it’s only a test. Bet we’ll all look back someday soon and laugh at how much we cared about these silly things.</p>
<p>Odd story, doing well on the PSAT and then dropping down into the 500’s on the SAT. How do you perform on practice tests at home ? What are your Math AP test scores ?</p>
<p>If you are as good as you think, you might consider going to a state school for a year or two, and then transferring to the school of your choice as a way to circumvent the poor SAT result.</p>