<p>Hey everyone, I'm hoping all you lovely people on CC can help me with my question. I have a 4.0 GPA and good EC's and such, but I'm not someone who takes tests well at all. I only got a 1800 on the SAT, and though I'm hoping to improve it some, I'm not holding on to any false hope that I could get a 2200 (like it seems many people on the site get.) My passion is theater and I'm pretty artsy, but I love to learn and I don't want to sacrifice academics for theater's sake. I want to learn many things so i have something to make art about. I'm attracted to some very cometitve LACs such as vassar, middlebury, ect. but I doubt I'll be able to make it in with my scores..... So I'm wondering if you all can tell me what are some GOOD liberal arts colleges (with a decent theater program) that I could get into with scores like mine?</p>
<p>Since you’re only a junior, you have time to retest. also take the ACT…some do better with that.
Is theatre going to be your major or will you major in something else?</p>
<p>Do you have a budget? Have your parents told you how much they’ll spend on college?</p>
<p>I’m gong to major in theater. I’m planning on getting a BA because BFA doesn’t leave much room to study anything else. </p>
<p>As far as budget goes… we don’t have much money. My parents can pay some and I work almost everyday, so I can contribute a litte…but honestly, most is going to have to come from finacial aid. That’s one reason why colleges such as Vassar, Skidmore, Kenyon, ect. that offer to meet 100% of demonstrated need are so appealing.</p>
<p>*we don’t have much money. My parents can pay some and I work almost everyday, so I can contribute a litte…but honestly, most is going to have to come from finacial aid. That’s one reason why colleges such as Vassar, Skidmore, Kenyon, ect. that offer to meet 100% of demonstrated need are so appealing. *</p>
<p>Then that is more reason to test again…and to do both the SAT and ACT. Schools that meet need are the hardest to get accepted to. </p>
<p>Also, keep in mind that aid is based on “determined need” after a school looks at your family’s income and assets (including your income and assets). From that information, the schools determine a “family contribution”. You need to find out if that amount will be larger than what your family can pay. Financial aid won’t cover that amount.</p>
<p>Frankly I’m kind of skeptical about anyone’s ability to raise an SAT score 400 points, let alone in just a few months, so I think you should look into Smith as a match school. Amazing financial aid (something like 30% of attendants have Pell Grants), an academic atmosphere, and SAT optional. Not SAT-optional-because-it-looks-good-but-really-you’re-not-getting-in-if-you-don’t-submit-results-- SAT optional like even when people do submit results, even with scores as high as 2300, scores are not a very big factor in admission’s decisions.</p>
<p>I agree that test-optional schools are the right places to focus, but there are not too many of them that also meet 100% of need. There is a larger set of schools that meet approximately 90%-99% of need (but are not need-blind). </p>
<p>DQ4J, Scores are important, but not all important. LACs will often overlook a weakness if other areas compensate. Self study – or if possible take a prep class – and take the SATI again as well as the ACT. For many LACs you will need a couple of SATIIs also.</p>
<p>It may be helpful to determine why your scores are disproportionate to your grades. (Assuming that your 4.0 is out of 4.0). For example, if you have a learning issue, if English is not your first language, if your math/reading scores are wildly unbalanced – you may be able to explain this in your application.</p>
<p>Concentrate on the positive: your GPA, your rank, your recommendations, your essays. Another plus would be if your family falls into any diversity demographic, not just racial, but also economic, religious, ethnic, first generation to go to college. These can all give you a boost, especially at non-urban and/or midWestern LACs.</p>
<p>Look into Questbridge for financial assistance.</p>
<p>Lastly, start putting together a performance CD to submit with your application. If you are an artist as well as an actor, submit a portfolio as well. </p>
<p>A few others that I would add to your list (though not particularly less selective) are Bard, Barnard, Hamilton and Smith. Williams has an excellent theater program, but they are even more selective.</p>
<p>For the Test Optional portion - have you considered Union, Holy Cross or Rollins? Not sure about the FA portion but I believe that Holy Cross meets 100% of need. All three of these schools offer theater and/or arts type programs. You have alot to offer.Best of luck in finding your perfect place!</p>
<p>Have you considered Muhlenberg? Your SAT scores would be squarely in the mid-range for this school. Also, it has a great theater program, and is a small LAC.</p>
<p>Drew University in NJ has an excellent theater program. I believe it is also test optional. Your stats would probably be strong for the school which may entitle you to some good merit aid.
I second the Muhlenberg suggestion. And I also think you should try the ACT. Also, some LACs, like Hamilton, Connecticut College and Middlebury, accept 3 SAT IIs instead of the SAT I. That might be a good option for you too.</p>
<p>Thanks for all these suggestions! I appreciate it! The 4.0 is unweighted out of 4.0. As far as the test grades themselves go, I got 700 on reading, 600 on writing, and 500 on math. I just can’t do math in a test environment. I forget what to do and make carless mistakes regardless of how much a prepare I know my score will go up some though, because i didn’t get to finish the whole writing section, but I’ve been practicing, and now I can. When I last took a practice SAT I actually got a 800 on writing! So assuming I can do that on the real thing, I might end up with a 2000… maybe?</p>
<p>A school that meets 100% would be amazing, but I’m also willing to look at some that just give decent aid.</p>
<p>Do you all think a school like Skidmore might be a possibility? Or perhaps Hampshire? I’ve heard they don’t focus a lot on SATs.</p>
<p>This may be an irrelevant comparison, but as part of a gifted program I raised my score 500 points in one year. Just give it your all studying for it and I bet you can do it!</p>
<p>Look at Mount Holyoke. It’s test optional, and you can participate in theatre productions at all of the colleges in the 5 College Consortium (Amherst, Smith, UMass, Hampshire and MHC). Good luck!</p>
I am a junior. I just don’t want to wait until the last minute to think such an important decision through.</p>
I know my score will go up some though, because i didn’t get to finish the whole writing section, but I’ve been practicing, and now I can. When I last took a practice SAT I actually got a 800 on writing! So assuming I can do that on the real thing, I might end up with a 2000… maybe?</p>