I am literally SOOOOO stressed while writing this. I checked my most recent (New) SAT score yesterday and I did much worse than expected. I did 30 pts lower than the previous time, even though I felt like I did well. Therefore, my highest SAT score is 1460. I’m SO disappointed with myself and after processing the information yesterday, I entered severe depression and experienced like 2 separate panic attacks and several hot flashes. Today I actually threw up in the middle of school and had to go home.
I KNOW people are probably reading this rolling their eyes out, and, to be fair, I really am overreacting and need to breathe a little. But just hear me out!!! I am just so completely depressed and disappointed with myself because how could I let this happen? I’m a National Merit Scholar, and I feel like I could’ve had the potential to score much higher but I blew it. I should’ve studied more over the summer. I should’ve done more research into the ACT. I didn’t plan ahead junior year and spread out my testing. Instead, I pushed everything off to November and October of senior year when I’m enrolled in 7 AP classes.
Now, it’s too late. I spent so much time the first 3 years working so hard on my grades and extracurriculars. It definitely paid off. I’m a National AP Scholar with five 5’s. I’m ranked in the top 10 in my school, so I’m solid there. I’ve won major visual art awards including a National Scholastic Art & Writing Medal. I spent hundreds of hours volunteering and later interning for a museum in my area. I’m the president of a club that I spend so much time organizing and planning. I’m in multiple honor societies… There’s more but I’m too stressed to even list them. And all this time I thought I had standardized testing in the bag! Well, I was wrong for being so disillusioned and overconfident, and, now, I’m facing those consequences. The reason why I’ve been entering this depression is because I feel like I’ve tried so hard all of high school but I couldn’t even get this one thing right. I feel like I had so many opportunities to finally put the SAT to rest, to the grave. But I left it on the backburner and I blew it. I blew my chances.
I know people always say to apply anyways and also that schools don’t just look only at the SAT but what do you truly think about my situation and how I should take things from here? Is a 1460 REALLY realistic? That surely automatically places me in a disadvantage. I mean, I’m asian, I think that’s important to note. I’m also part of the LGBT community, which is important to me and my identity but I feel like in no way puts me in an advantage in admissions. IDK what else to say honestly. Yale is my dream school, and I knew it was always a reach for me but now I’m thinking it’s not even reachable. I know there’s also January testing available. Is that worth a shot? I’m mostly stressed writing this because I also deeply wanted to be at Rice University, which only accepts up to December scores (so it’s too late). I didn’t post in the thread there because it’s not very active. So…What do you think?
Do you think Yale is unrealistic for me with this SAT score? (OK side rant but the New SAT is honestly so inconvenient especially since the tests changed in the middle of my junior year. Also it’s hard to know what colleges expect with this test since it’s so new!!! Just adding to my anxiety!!!) How much does the SAT matter and how much is it hurting me?
How should I take things from here? Should I take the January SAT and study my ASS off for it? Does anyone have much info about taking the January one after applying to RD? Yale and many schools accept it, but is it risky and do you also send the score blind?
I guess can anyone recommend any schools with a high quality of education that is closer to reach for me??? If anyone knows, is Rice University a MAJOR reach for me?
I guess just ANY advice or analysis. Just any of your thoughts! I’ve never experienced this much anxiety and depression in my life.
Not to put anyone in the spotlight but I see her all the time on here so @gibby do you have any thoughts on this? I need ANYONE to just give it all to me, uplifting or blunt. I just want SOMEONE to hear me out fully and tell me what you think.
Maybe stop writing so much on this thread and take the test again if you’re that worried.
The most important thing of all is to figure out about three other schools – not Ivies – that you could attend and would be happy at. There are many many many schools out there and they are wonderful. See if you can see past the Yale name and find other schools. Yale is a fine place, but it won’t guarantee you a happy life.
Use the Supermatch tool on this site and find yourself some great schools. What is it that you like about Yale besides the bumper sticker? See if you can figure that out and then find some other schools that share those characteristics. Consider some lovely LACs, say, in the Midwest or even the South. You might surprise yourself. Or . . . how about looking abroad to some of the posh schools there?
I was writing a lot because of stress. I guess in a way I was venting??? Either way, you’re right there are other things I could do with my time. I’m just in a weird situation right now and I feel like I need people’s thoughts. You give a valid point though. Thank you for taking the time to reply. @Dustyfeathers
@tdy123 that’s true. It’s also frustrating because this is an entirely new test and even though they put those percentiles out there it’s hard to REALLY compare it to previously accepted students because they didn’t take the same thing as me. So should I retest in January? Is that the way to go about this?
It is not worth it to stress over this. There are so many great schools out there. Why do you want to go to Yale? What does Yale have that other schools don’t in your opinion?
@3CsinLife You’re right. But I think I should clarify that this isn’t ONLY about Yale. Yale is my dream school for many specific reasons. A lot of schools share some of these qualities I look for and of course I am very interested and actively applying to them. I’m not going to die if I get rejected from Yale. It was possible and likely anyways from the start. This is different because I feel like I have slimmed my chances down as an applicant overall. My chances have lowered for not just Yale but so many other schools as well. You send your SAT score to every school.
@Houston1021 It’s possible but I’m not sure I can do well on the ACT because I haven’t prepared for it at all. That’s one of the things I regret the most: not doing proper research and preparation for it. Do you think I should take the SAT in January? Many schools accept it but would it be a bad idea?
I don’t think taking SAT in January will do you much good. Most schools will not wait for the scores when they make their decision. 1460 is a very solid score. Most colleges will not care if you have 1460 or 1500…the rest of your resume has to shine for you to get into the top schools. It is not about what school you go to…it is about what you do with your life that matters. If you have a passion for what you do in life …you will succeed even without Yale’s education.
If you can take the ACT, try it. I don’t think you have to prepare for it, as you might have to prepare for the SAT. If the score is not good, don’t report it. I would do that rather than taking the SAT again. Just my 2 cents
I helped a friend’s kid with his app to Yale last year. He applied SCEA and was deferred but got in RD. No extraordinary ECs…basic editor in chief (with 2 others) of school newspaper, runner but not recruitable, band but not good enough to play at Yale, etc. Excellent grades (in top 10 ppl of his class year but not top 3-5), didn’t take honors tract math. Old SAT, 3 times: 720 cr, 680 math, 780 writing. Combined reading & writing: 1400. Probably around bottom 25%. Math for sure in bottom 25%. Applied as an English and physics major. No hooks. White male from westchester, NY. And yet, accepted. It can happened but he was definitely very lucky.
@IxnayBob I just decided that I’m going to get on the standby list for the ACT. I think it’s worth the try. @RenaissanceMom Thank you for sharing this. It definitely gives me hope!
If this helps, I got accepted with that sat score. You have a nice sounding resume. Nothing is for sure with these low-acceptance universities, but you definitely have a shot. Yale doesn’t superscore, so I would not recommend retaking unless you really want to. I wish you the very best of news in these coming months!
I was going to point out how the tippy tops like resilience and suggest you think about that. But you’re coming around. Now get a deep look at what Yale values and looks for and, in accordance with that, do a bang up job on the app and supp, make it relevant to them (and presumably your other top choices.) Don’t guess, don’t assume, take on this challenge. Even if you had gotten 1600, you would still need this savvy.