Hi! Lately I have been extremely worried about my SAT scores because of the competitive schools I want to apply to. My top choices are UCLA, USC, and Barnard. My counselor thinks that I have a good shot at all 3, because of my dedicated involvement in my EC’s, relatively high GPA, and unique personal story. Also, my parents and grandparents are USC alumni so that does help. I’ve taken the SAT 3 times. My best score overall is 1280 (1290 superscored). I’m considering taking the ACT right now but is there any point in doing it so late in the game? I’m applying for the December 1 deadline at USC so it may not even matter. I’m applying for an English major also. Help anyone?
Your SAT is not likely competitive for USC. USC cares a lot about test scores. They routinely reject those with 1450, even children of alumni (my nephew was rejected even though his parents are alums as well).
What is your GPA and your UC GPA?
All 3 schools are reaches for you.
My GPA is a 4.2 and not sure about UC GPA
try to take ACT asap. Some times you will get a surprise from ACT. You have no chance at USC with 1280 SAT at this moment, legacy does not replace bad score.
@caitxoxo There is no point in being “worried” about your SAT score. They are what they are.
Yes, you should take the ACT if you think you are not testing up to your potential. (It is easy to take a proctored timed “practice” test either on-line or at a testing service. You could do that first to see if you should expect a better score.)
But regardless, you will need to work extra, extra hard on your app, and be sure you have some solid saftey scools. Barnard & USC are very competitive even if you had higher scores. The UCs are more forgiving of lower test scores if your UC GPA is strong. Go to the UC website, follow the instructions and figure out your UC GPA. (And don’t discount the other UCs, if you were to get in, esp if you are a CA res.) And that’s the last question: are you a CA res? Makes a difference for UC apps.
Good luck!
https://rogerhub.com/gpa-calculator-uc/
The top UC’s will not be as forgiving on SAT tests vs the lower tiers, so UCLA will be a tough admit either way.
Here is the 25th-75th percentile for SAT and ACT scores for UCLA. You want to be at or above the 50th for the best chances.
SAT::
UCLA: 1280-1500
ACT::
UCLA: 30-34
If you are not a CA resident, you will be paying $60K+/year to attend since OOS applicants get little to no FA.
Also concur that USC is out of reach with your current test scores.
Yes, I know that. I don’t consider it a bad score, it’s not great. However considering I beat cancer at 15 and still maintained a 4.0 it’s pretty okay. But the rest of my application is going to be good, so I’m gonna stay positive. Thanks 
Thank you! I am not a CA resident unfortunately.
Test scores are not all that matters!!! I beg to differ. People are accepted at USC with below or the same SAT scores. It just really depends on the whole application altogether.
You can tell yourself what you keep wanting to hear. But be realistic.
That’s actually hilarious because I keep telling myself the opposite. I am not expecting to get into these schools by any means, but I am going to apply and see what happens. You don’t need to tell me how to live my life. But thanks.
Does anyone know how to delete this? I don’t need everyone commenting negative stuff anymore.
There is a very good thread on CC someplace about applying USC. You should give it a read. It could be helpful.
It is not too late to the ACT. USC offers students a number of different ways in, even if they don’t accept you for Fall “regular” admit. Trojan transfer, Spring admit etc. If you are really determined to go to SC and you get a stronger ACT or SAT sccore, if you are still in consideration, it can help.
Be sure you’re writing a great app, but also make sure you have realistic safties. Selective college admissions is too difficult to predict well. Good luck
Take a couple of practise ACTs. If you are scoring substantially better than your SAT score equivalents, then sign up for Dec ACT. In the mean time, focus on writing a very good essay. Your unique personal story can potentially have a substantial impact on admission results. All the best!
I apologize if I offended you in anyway. It was just mere advice to be realistic. You specifically asked for "Help anyone?
", so I don’t understand why you are getting so upset. Also you’re ignoring the community’s advice with your own (“Test scores are not all that matters!!! I beg to differ. People are accepted at USC with below or the same SAT scores”). This actually makes you sound like you are expecting to get in, BTW. Oh an you can’t delete threads, so there’s that.
Congratulations on beating cancer @caitxoxo !!! That is absolutely amazing that you were able to keep such a stellar gpa! I think your essys and recommendations letters will set you a part from a lot of others. Let me ask you this: if you didn’t take the ACT and were not accepted into the above schools, would you wonder what could have been? Would the wondering bother you? If so, study and take the ACT. If not, and you will be happy regardless (because you have backups) of the outcome, then don’t sweat it.
I’m not expecting to get in by any means. Actually I’m not expecting to get in. I know they’re reach schools for me.
I’ll just reiterate what been said:
If you don’t think it is going to adversely affect your grades or other important things (like time spent on application essays) there is nothing to be lost taking the ACT.
Just going from my kid’s experience, the best strategy is take a practice test or two in as close to a “Real” situation as you can manage: whether a test center or having a parent or friend “administer” the test.
Grade it. Then concentrate your studying on the Easy and Moderate questions you missed (All questions have the same point value, so getting an Easy or Moderate right is as valuable as getting a Difficult, so use your study time most efficiently.) Don’t study questions you have gotten right. Study the easiest first.
Since ACT tends to be knowledge based, it is not impossible you will do a bit better later in the school year.
Also, work very hard on your essays. USC (and all schools really, but USC in particular) really wants to know you really want to go to USC - and why you want to. What is it about USC and it’s programs that make you want to attend.
The good news is, if you are applying to Dornsife, they admit the most students and therefore can afford a wider range of scores, grades and other considerations. The bad news is, as you know, it’s just hard to get into competitive colleges. So if you are a good writer, you want to really work your essays, short answers, everything to a fine, glittering, smooth representation of you.
Good luck. You seem feisty, which is great. You’ll get an excellent situation somewhere as long as you give yourself a wide range of options.
Thank you! Yes, I’m applying to a lot of other schools as well. I actually am planning to take the SAT again in December. I’m going to study with my tutor again and work hard so hopefully my score will improve.
@caitxoxo
Excellent. Good luck. I’d look at the ACT too if I were you. Just to take a practice test and see. Might be a better fit.