<p>Are there any top schools that put the same or more emphasis on the SATs as they do GPA?</p>
<p><em>sigh</em> i sound like a broken record...</p>
<p>top schools use SATs and GPA a prelim, not an ends... if you're not too far behind, they really don't care. really. your ticket to admission is how you convey yourself.</p>
<p>Anyone else have any insight?</p>
<p>I doubt it, though that is something entirely dependant on the university to which you are applying. For the most part, three years' worth of knowledge can hardly be regarded on the same level as the result of a four hour test. On the other hand, low SAT scores despite a high GPA may be quite detrimental. To my knowledge rankings are also looked upon as an important criterion; though, of course, they by no means determine acceptance into a top school. Very few things, in fact, do.</p>
<p>I hate the arguement that a test isn't as important as your work in HS. True, your grades and classes consume far more time. But the combination of all tests, SAT I, SAT II's, and AP's, demonstrate the extent of what you have learned. In some cases, SAT II's might be low because a class didn't learn the material covered on the test, but I think the SAT I is a good indicator of basic reasoning skills. If you can reason well, then most future areas of study should be doable. I might be kind of biased though; I hear alot of arguements that the SAT is unfair by kids at my school with 3.9 GPA's but SAT I's less than 1800. I'm not saying the SAT should be the end-all be-all in admission criterea, I just think people should realize it is a fairly valid test, and is important. </p>
<p>On another note, according to Michelle Hernandez's (I think thats her name) well-known book on college admissions, A is for Admission, tests count alot. She says the SAT and SAT II's combined count for twice as much as GPA and Class Rank, at least at Dartmouth College and some other Ivy League universities. I don't know how true this is, I'm just putting it out there.</p>
<p>^yeah agree with darkruler's first paragraph, I think the SATs are quite important and valid</p>