<p>maybe I'm naive, but I really never knew that colleges had a cut off for SAT scores. I really thought essays mattered more than they actually do. I'm feeling pretty discouraged about the whole admissions process at this point.</p>
<p>No need for discouragement. I don’t know your stats or which schools you hope to attend, but in general we are blessed in the US with literally hundreds of good colleges to choose from. The chances you can find one to fit your needs and goals is very high. It may not be the one you had earlier planned on, but there are many fine schools out there. </p>
<p>On the flip side, there is a lot you can do to raise your SAT if you feel that your scores are going to limit your choices in ways you do not like. My daughter retook the SAt and raised her score 270 points, which was good enough to get her into the one of the highly-selective schools she had her eye on.</p>
<p>Now, I have a 2040, and I am only applying to one ivy- I know it’s a long shot. There are people on this site with the attitude that I shouldn’t even apply if I don’t have a 2300 or above. It’s just very discouraging me to.</p>
<p>There are many excellent schools for which that is a very competitive score. Don’t get hung up on an ivy. Look for other schools where you will be comfortable and do well.</p>
<p>Yeah, I mean it’s a pretty good score for many competitive schools that I’m applying to. Some people on this site are just way too hung up on SAT scores. I just think it’s one big waste of money/time.</p>
<p>the SAT is a way for schools to compare students on an even playing field. And your score is pretty good now and I’m sure you could raise it!</p>
<p>yes, but I can’t raise it…because I need to take the sat 2 on the next test date :(</p>
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<p>If you take the test again in November, you should get your results back at least before Regular Decision. Also, you can take the ACT in September and try to score well on that. I had no expectation of doing well on the ACT having only prepped for the SAT but I actually did better on it. The first time I took it I had done pretty poorly. </p>
<p>You never know which test is going to strike a chord with you, and you never know how well you’re going to do. If you don’t feel well about your test scores, you can work at raising them and you might just be surprised. </p>
<p>Keep in mind when taking your tests, 2040 is a great score and even if you stopped filling in bubbles and just sat there, you would still have a damn good chance at whatever schools you’re considering. That mentality lifts a lot of the pressure.</p>
<p>the november test will be alright for regular decision? in that case I think i will take the SAT’s again and skip the ACT. I already have a really good book for the SAT and am familiar with the test. I took an ACT practice test and scored a 22…terrible. </p>
<p>Now I feel much better…thank you!</p>
<p>don’t worry too much about it, meagan44 
Most of the big <em>good</em> (I hate that categorization but…) schools view things holistically, which means that they WILL give equal weight to your test scores, essays, recs, etc etc. Granted a reallyyyyy bad test score can’t be boosted by an incredible essay, but 2040 is hardly terrible. I say you have a good shot- definitely apply to the places you’re thinking of, and if you decide to retake the SAT, I think you have a good chance of getting a better score too- just b/c you’re familiar with the test format, have experience, etc etc. Good luck!!</p>
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<p>This is simply untrue and not what holistic review means. Where do you guys get this stuff?</p>
<p>Feel good posts are nice, but the helpful ones tell a poster what they can do to improve the situation. Those advising to dig in and up the scores are on the right track.</p>