I am a Homeschooled Highschool student that is about to start my senior, and I need some advice.
I took the SAT in June, and recently got my scores back. The scores were not that great compared to my practice test scores, but they weren’t terrible. (Total of 1360).
I know for a fact I got lower scores because of special personal circumstances related to testing day.
I know for a fact that if I studied and took it again on the next available test day in October, I would get a better score (probably about a 1400-1450).
Here is where I am stuck. As a Senior interested in pursuing Computer Science, should I instead focus my efforts on an SAT subject test (Best chances with me are a Math Subject test or Physics Subject test) or retaking an SAT, both, or neither?
My parents told me from family members that the CS spots in many colleges here in Texas get filled up quickly. So the earlier I apply, the better. They told me that it fills up so quickly, that I MUST get my application done before October. The problem here is that I cannot take another SAT or take Subject Test until October… and I wouldn’t even get my results until November most likely.
I know that if I sacrifice my free time and study hard I can get a good score in an SAT or a Subject test. But is it worth it given my circumstances?
The truth is, I should have figured all this out when my Junior year was starting… but my mentality was “I have two whole years to do all this stuff”. I am now paying the price for that thinking.
Any advice?
EDIT:
I will also add that I am doing an out of state internship from mid August, to late September (but I can study remotely from that time). And then I will be doing a part time job for the rest of high-school. So while I do have time to study, it is not as much as I would like… Which makes me reluctant to take both an SAT and an SAT Subject test.
My SAT scores are slightly above average for my target schools (UT austin, Texas A&M…), (but I find my ECs and resume to be very above average). For reach schools (Georgia Tech, Rice…), there is not much hope for me, but if I had those subject tests and better SAT scores that would really help. The main concern is whether submitting those scores in late november would be too late? As those schools are known to fill their CS spots quickly.
Have you considered UT Dallas? It is less well-known as a school but its Computer Science program is well-respected, and I would think that it is prone to filling up less quickly than other schools.
Yes I have! I heard that is a has a great CS program. However, I would prefer to hit my target school UT Austin. With Texas A&M and UT Dallas as safety backups. I am just unsure if I should retake that SAT or take a subject test to up my chances for UT Austin
Prioritize the SAT retake. Some of your intended schools do not even look at subject test scores in admissions (e.g. CNS @ UTAustin), but they will all look at your SAT.
You may find once you have the SAT retake done that you feel more equal to the task of also doing the subject test.
Thanks for the tips. The question still begs however if it is too late? Can I submit my ApplyTexas app with my current scores and later add the newer scores?
I would focus on retaking the SAT - I am not familar with UT Austin admissions, but if you are not an auto-admit, maybe applying early (so long as your GPA and scores are competitive) might be of interest. If you are looking at other schools outside of the UT system, the SAT will really come in handy.
Why not take the ACT on September 10? You would likely have your scores within 14 days (although this could be dicey as well…but ACT has been very quick with us in TX the last two times).