<p>I've really been freaking out about my college applications lately. I think I'm a pretty well-rounded student, but my SAT scores are way too low. I got a 1735 the first time I took the SATs and 1880 on my second try. Ugh, do you have any advice? That's pretty much my only concern..otherwise, I'm at a good rank, I have good grades, I'm involved in my community and I am taking challenging courses. </p>
<p>The reach schools that I want to get into are really challenging and require high SAT scores, ex: Duke, WUSTL, Yale, Emory</p>
<p>Thank you so much!</p>
<p>Umm hey 
The schools you chose i must say are very selective, and there will be honestly thousands of other kids who have a better SAT Score than you.
But at the end of the day, schools don’t only look at numbers, they see who you are inside.
I bet if you write a kick ass essay that will really make the admission office left with goosebumps, your totally okay. As you have said good GPA, good rank right? 
but make sure you have back up schools you apply to as well. okay ?
If this makes you feel any better, my older classmate who just graduated this year got a 1800 on the 2nd try, but got a 100% scholarship to Ithica College in New York. So don’t doubt yourself, only because of SAT, just make sure you stand out and show that you are one of a kind and i bet you will be A OKay :)</p>
<p>Everything that Uyangaa said in the beginning is correct, everything in the middle and end is wrong. Colleges DO use a holistic approach to students, however, this doesn’t undervalue the SAT at all. There’s a reason that admitted applicants to better schools have higher SAT score most of the time. Because it does matter. By all mean, try to increase your SAT if you can, and write an excellent essay. An essay can sometimes off-set a bad score, but not one by that much.</p>
<p>@uyangaa - An 1800 is slightly above the 50% for Ithaca. Doesn’t really help chixtwix45 since his/her SAT is way below the 25% for any of those colleges.</p>
<p>25% to 75% SAT
Duke: 2040 - 2330
WUSTL: 2085 -2295
Yale: 2100 -2370
Emory: 1960 - 2240</p>
<p>Try to take the ACT if you can. You only have “good” rank, and “good” grades, so it’s not too impressive. Everyone takes challenging courses for these schools. Regardless, don’t get stuck up on these schools. You sound like a great student, just put yourself into your essays, and let the dice fall where they may.</p>
<p>You got a 1735 the first time? You should get into any school of your choice for being the first person to get a score that doesn’t end in 0!!</p>
<p>But serious, if you want to improve, just practice the sections you need the most work in. That’s all you can do.</p>
<p>SAT scores don’t make or break an application though. But if you are below the middle 50% range, you better have some stellar hook or else you won’t truly be a serious applicant.</p>
<p>Try the ACT like ParthivNaresh said.</p>
<p>What those people said.</p>
<p>Aim for at least a 2200. With your scores as low as they are (no offense; they’re high in general, but they’d be quite low for these schools), it’ll be difficult to improve your score, but you can do it if you work your rear end off over a long period of time.</p>
<p>I’m really working my butt off this summer to improve my scores. I know for sure that they are definitely below-average for those schools. I’m aiming for a 2200 at least. Part of it is for getting admitted into the schools, but I also desperately need a Merit scholarship. For some reason, I just do terrible at standardized testing. </p>
<p>I also just recently posted a “Chance me” thread. If you guys could take a look at my stats and give me feedback, that would be greatly appreciated. Thank you all once again!</p>
<p>Oh, I’ve also already taken the ACT and received a 30. I’m planning on retaking it, I’m aiming for a 34 at least</p>