Low SAT, should I even apply?

Colleges and Universities A-Z College of William and Mary
1

<p>Well, I'd say I have a decent GPA and a horrible SAT score. Counselor says I shouldn't waste money on an application to W&M and UVa because I wouldn't get in.</p>

<p>Overview:
Instate - SoVa
Magnet School – Medical Academy
Unweighted GPA – 3.777
Weighted GPA – 4.156
Rank 7/397 – Top 1.76% of class
Asian – Male
Hopefully get in as a bio major.
SAT – 590CR/640M/540W - 1770 Total =\ (Retaking in October and maybe November)</p>

<p>Courses Taken:
(* = AP/Weighted Classes)</p>

<p>12th – (My senior year schedule)
AP Calculus BC*
AP Government*
AP Physics*
HSA Pathophysiology II*
Scientific Research and Writing
Honors English 12
(Schedule conflict wouldn't allow me to take AP Spanish)</p>

<p>11th –
AP Chemistry – B*
AP US History – A*
AP Psychology – A*
HSA Pathophysiology I – A*
Microbiology/Hereditary Medicine – A<em>/A</em>
Math Analysis – A
HSA Honors English 11 – B
Spanish 4 – A</p>

<p>10th –
AP Biology – A*
AP European History – A*
HSA Anatomy – A*
Medical Illustrations/Anatomical Architecture - A/A
HSA Honors English 10 – A
HSA Chemistry – A
HSA Algebra 2/Trig – B
Spanish 3 – A</p>

<p>9th –
HSA Honors English 9 – B
HSA Geometry – A
HSA World History – A
HSA Biology – A
HSA Health Occupations – A
Spanish 2 – A
PE/Health 9 – A</p>

<p>Extracurricular/School Activities:
National Honors Society – Treasurer – 10th, 11th, 12th
Medical Honors Society – 10th, 11th, 12th
Science Club – Founder/Vice President – 10th, 11th, 12th
Soccer – Captain during 10th grade – 9th, 10th
Athletic Trainer – 10th, 11th
Environmental Club – 10th, 11th
Chess Club – 10th, 11th
Future Business Leaders of America – 10th, 11th
Interact Club – 10th, 11th</p>

<p>Awards/Achievements:
Principals List – 9th, 10th, 11th
Honor Roll – 9th, 10th, 11th
Excellence in Academics and Athletics – 9th, 10th, 11th
Perfect Attendance – 9th
Many nominations</p>

<p>Community Service:
300+ hours of athletic training, aiding injured athletes
30+ hours of doing work for National Honors Society
20+ hours of doing work for Medical Honors Society
30+ hours of doing work for Science Club
30+ hours of peer tutoring classmates in Chemistry, English, and Algebra 2/Trig
30+ hours Environmental Club, helping pick up garbage and promoting awareness
20+ hours of Health Sciences Academy open house night preparation and presentation
40+ hours of random volunteering done
Total = 500+ hours</p>

<p>Thanks for the help!</p>

2

<p>The SAT is <em>supposed</em> to be a predictor of success, but your grades in college-level courses contradict that. Which is more important, a poor prediction of success in college-level courses, or an actual record of success in those courses?</p>

<p>W&M makes a point of saying that they view applications holistically; yours will certainly be a challenge to that. </p>

<p>If I were you, I’d consider taking the ACT, to see if you yield a better result. </p>

<p>Either way, if I were you, I’d apply. While your SAT score is clearly well-outside the range, everything else in your resume is impressive. It could be your counselor is right, that it would be a “waste of money.” But W&M has an excellent Bio program with lots of research opportunities and excellent placement in med and graduate programs. You’ve obviously worked hard to get where you are. Why deny yourself the chance to study at such a great school? It may only be a “chance”, maybe even just a small one at that – but I’d take it if I were you. </p>

<p>Anyway, just my 2 cents - look into the ACT, and good luck!</p>

3

<p>Yes, definitely try the ACT. Many students perform much better on that than the SAT - I know some kids who’ve had mid-50th percentile SATs and above 90th percentile ACTs.</p>

<p>You do have an excellent record otherwise. Another option that occurs to me, if your application doesn’t work out as you’ve hoped at W & M, is the possibility of transferring there after a strong year at another school. Have you looked at Mary Washington in Fredericksburg? It’s quite similar in feel to W & M, and would also be a great deal for an instate student. Your SAT scores are between their 50th/75th percentiles. Good luck!</p>

4

<p>What’s missing from the overview are the scores the OP achieved in the AP classes. Based on the information supplied one would guess that the OP’s school is a pretty good one. However, I know that at some of the mediocre public schools in our area it is not uncommon for students to earn "A"s in AP classes but score 1s and 2s on the exams. If the OP’s AP exam scores are good or great make sure the W&M admissions officers see them.</p>

5

<p>As I tell most posters who have similar questions, you never know unless you try. While your current SAT scores are a bit lower than our middle 50% range (1280-1430 on Critical Reading and Math) they are not “way below” the range as another post stated and the range is just that; 25% of those we admit score lower than a 1280 and there is still time to take either the SAT again or the ACT to improve your standing (we only look at your best outcome).</p>

<p>It does appear that your other accomplishments are quite impressive and we do, as mentioned, review applications holistically. No one is automatically in or out based on any one criterion. While the odds are stacked against any applicant applying to a selective school (when we admit only 32% of those who apply obviously we are not admitting most applicants) you’ll again never know unless you try.</p>

<p>As for your AP scores, sure if they’re good it doesn’t hurt you to see them but we do not require AP scores to be submitted and no decision ever hinges on an AP exam result so do not worry about reporting those to us if you don’t want to.</p>

<p>Hope this is helpful.</p>