<p>jackson17, the "best student in class" awards are not likely to sway an admissions committee one way or another, since they are common for all of the applicants to schools like Vassar. Your published poems will certainly add to your admissions application, but don't think of them as "making up" for low test scores. Especially if you are not a minority or athlete. Vassar asks students to submit a graded writing sample with their application and also a "my space" with the application. This will be a good place to put your poems.</p>
<p>About improving your test scores, you need to prove that you can do it before you go in to know whether or not your prepping is working. Take a timed SAT under testing conditions at home and score it objectively. If the scores are improved, then you're on the right track. </p>
<p>Good luck!</p>