<p>Okay, so I just got my SAT scores back. First time, pretty terrible for this site.</p>
<p>Math-590
Verbal-680
Writing-680
Total- 1950</p>
<p>Anyway, my question is where does someone go if they have scores like this?I'm a junior and I have straight A's and decent EC's. God, I'm totally lost.</p>
<p>You did much better than I did and MUCH better then the average american. 1950 is like 450 points over the average. Not a bad score.</p>
<p>Congratulations. With those scores, you can go to most of the 2,000 or so colleges and universities in the U.S. Probably the only ones that you'd have no chance of getting into would be most of the top 25 colleges unless you have hooks like being a recruited athlete.</p>
<p>community college for you dummy</p>
<p>/sarcasm</p>
<p>This is only your first attempt - so you are a junior? My S raised his score 200 points through self study. Many have had success increasing scores. Focus on bringing your math score up to 650 and you will have even more options for competitive schools. Also, there are many schools not requiring the SAT anymore and some not requiring scores if you are in the top 10% of your class (Franklin and Marshall). Check out the fairtest website for a list.</p>
<p>Thanks for your help guys! I know I am being pretty pessimistic in saying this, but what if I just can't bring my score up? What kind of school can I expect to get into with a good GPA but mediocre SATs?</p>
<p>I can't wait till this college stuff is over...</p>
<p>Many competitive LACs don't require the SAT...</p>
<p>Also, I really do think you can bring your scores up...a friend went from scores similar to yours (except with an 800 in math, low-mid 600s in reading in writing) to a 2380 (he studied his butt off). My own math score went up from a 590 to a 710 with a little self study.</p>
<p>Arrange to take the SAT two more times, as well as the ACT a couple times if you can. You may do better on it.</p>
<p>Good luck, but, even with bad SAT scores, if you are not looking at big state unis, you still have a ton of options.</p>
<p>
[quote]
where does someone go if they have scores like this?
[/quote]
With those scores and your fine gpa (grades virtually always count much more heavily than standardized tests) you will have an amazing number of attractive options:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Nearly all of the state flagship universities, many of which have individual departments that are considered equal or superior to those at the Ivies. (Do research on your areas of interest.)</p></li>
<li><p>Virtually any state Univ. Honors programs, where you can have the resources of a large research university coupled with some of the intimate contact with faculty that you'd associate with top LAC, along with peers who are among the top students in the country. </p></li>
<li><p>All but a handful or two of top liberal arts colleges--places that resemble country clubs and where faculty are not only doing cutting-edge research, but are devoted to teaching and involving students hands-on in real scholarship and creative activity. They can range in feel from funky and artsy; to devoutly intellectual; to athletic and preppy; to almost as techie as a technical institute. (And several of the most elite LACs are SAT optional; once you move beyond the top 20-25 there are almost more institutions that are SAT-optional than those that are not, but your scores would be more than competitive anyway.)</p></li>
<li><p>As Northstarmom pointed out, most of the top private universities in the country; in fact, only the very top tier might be out of reach. The schools in the bracket just below the elites (do not read "second-rate") include amazing institutions.</p></li>
<li><p>Almost any of the so-called "Masters" and "Comprehensive" universities, groups of schools that generally don't garner much publicity, but which contain some good bargains along with wonderful pre-professional training in many fields.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Look at the US News list that ranks colleges.</p>
<p>You'd have a chance of admission at virtually all of the colleges except probably for those national and liberal arts universities ranked 1- about # 25. Depending on your state (because some of the colleges here are public), you could apply to colleges ranked 26-50 as reach schools. You'll find matches and safeties in the colleges ranked above 50. In other words, there are a couple of thousand colleges that you could apply to and be assured of being admitted. You could even find colleges that would give you merit aid.</p>
<p>marathonman--regarding your #5, what is the definition of a comprehensive college? Is there a list somewhere of them? My inpression is that they are schools which are smaller than universities but more geared to preparing for work than grad school?</p>
<p>Buy the US News college guide, which lists colleges in categories including national universities (which are large colleges with graduate schools), liberal arts colleges and other categories.</p>
<p>You also can pay $14.95 to fully access until next Aug. the US News on-line college site, which gives excellent, comprehensive info for colleges including about admissions (such as giving breakdowns of SAT scores of admitted students) and financial aid.</p>
<p>Jaybee,</p>
<p>Comprehensive colleges = one of the categories from the (now obsolete) Carnegie Foundation Classification system. They have mostly undergraduates, but concentrate primarily on pre-professional training in fields like accounting, business, engineering, journalism, nursing, applied computer science, and education--fields that are not offered as typical liberal arts majors.</p>
<p>You can find a fairly "comprehensive" list at:</p>
<p>marathonman--thanks!
It's nice to have a description of my elder sons' school, York College of Penna. I've had trouble describing the school to people I know, and it was right on your list you linked!</p>
<p>I thought it might be in this category because it has more of a "vocational" feel. My son liked it better than the traditional LAC's such as McDaniel or Susquehanna.</p>
<p>Could you be a little more specific about what you want?</p>
<p>Many very good schools place little emphasis on SAT scores: Middlebury, Bates, Colby, and Bard come to mind.</p>
<p>Northstarmom and MarathonMan88 show perspective that is often lacking on CC.
Your scores might mean the "top" 25 prestigious schools should be off your list. Maybe you should be glad of that because a) it narrows your focus; b) you can think about what you want besides prestige; and c) you might be able avoid some of the obsessiveness that comes with applying to elite colleges.
Were any of the top on your list in the first place? If not, you really haven't lost anything. If one was, and you love it, you should still apply. Even those that require the SAT. Remember that 50% of any given class got in with a score lower than the median for that school.</p>
<p>Seems like these days nearly everyone takes the SAT multiple times. Maybe you can benefit from joining that crowd. If you re-take the test, do it for fun (hah!)-- kind of "let's see what I can do if I review material beforehand," and not "OMG, I have to raise my score at least 200 points." If you studied hard the first time around, I doubt you'll see huge improvement. If you didn't study hard, maybe some study would pay off, but keep your wits about you.
Are you in algebra II? (I think that would be typical for a junior, though many on CC are in more advanced math.) If so, you can look forward to high SAT math score when you finish that course.</p>
<p>University of Chicago isn't too mindful of scores. One of the reps just wrote, "We actually "forgive" SAT scores from anyone -- no one is ever denied based on their low scores."</p>
<p>Tumamaesmimama, I had a similar situation to yours (1940 SAT on my first try). I was worried that I could not bring up my scores anymore b/c I barely went up from the PSAT. However, I discovered The Princeton Review's Cracking the SAT. It gives good tips and its practice tests are a bit harder than the SAT so when you take the SAT, it doesn't seem as hard. I raised my Math score form 660 to 710 and my overall score form 1940 to 2030 on my second try. I am retaking in Dec and I'm shooting for a 2100. With this book, I really think it is possible.</p>
<p>Tumamaesminama,</p>
<p>I’m sorry you’re feeling discouraged. It is really hard to be a straight A student, and then get SAT scores that aren’t considered to be of the same caliber as straight A’s. </p>
<p>I have looked at the other responses, and I agree that taking the test again is clearly an option. How much time did you devote to SAT studying? Did you take “a bunch” of practice tests? Were your scores on the practice tests similar to the scores posted above? Did you feel like you did your best after you left the exam room, or were you having a bad day?</p>
<p>Obviously, if you are able to raise your score by 200 points it will make a real difference. I can think of many individual examples that support this notion.</p>
<p>On the other hand, it is possible that you may not improve your scores significantly. If so, you can focus on the many fantastic schools that are more within your reach.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>Don't sweat it! </p>
<p>First of all, GPA, class rank (if you have one), and leadership/innovation in ECs count MUCH more than the SATs. Next, you still have good SAT scores; they just aren't in the top tier. So what? Third, there are many schools that have an SAT optional application. (I'm sure someone will post the link here that lists them; I don't have it.)</p>
<p>If you are just a junior, now is the time to decide what type of school you want to attend, not which schools you need to cross off your list. Look at SAT optional schools, particularly as reach schools, but keep in mind that prestige isn't everything.</p>