<p>Is anyone here considering retaking the SATs or ACTs? If you already have taken them/decided not to, what factors influenced your decision? </p>
<p>Since I'm an incoming freshman applying to transfer for fall '06, most of the schools I'm applying to still require copies of your scores, as well as high school transcripts. Anyone else in this position?</p>
<p>I'm pretty sure I'm going to retake the SAT. Looking to take it in October and I'll be applying soon after.</p>
<p>I'm taking them to prove that I'm not running away from high school SAT scores. I decided to study for it since I'm applying to competitive schools: Cornell, Brown, Tufs, etc.</p>
<p>If you can, take the ACT too just for kicks heh</p>
<p>I definitely plan on taking the ACTs, because I figure with them, I have nothing to lose - I didn't take them in high school, and if my scores are bad, none of the schools I'm looking at require that they be submitted. If they're good, well, yay :)</p>
<p>I think I'm going to wind up retaking the SATs also though, because I only took them once in high school (730 v, 540 m), and that was prior to taking two AP english classes and math beyond an intro to alg. II. I'm assuming they'd really only go up, especially if I study this time around.</p>
<p>For transfers, how influential do you think SAT/ACT scores are? I mean, obviously they have some bearing on your admission if submitting them is required, but when applying out of high school, I would consider it probably the second most influential criteria, following gpa/class rank/general course load stuff. Do you think their significance changes much, and if so, what other factors (obiously college transcript, but that aside) would you rank above them?</p>
<p>I would say,that test scores are probably on of the least important parts of a transfer application. I know from experience...decided not to retake any tests, and was pleasantly surprised with acceptance letters. The most important piece of the app. is the college gpa...they want to know that you can succeed in a collegiate atomosphere. I would say the essay is second most important...you need to pour your heart and soul into it...and I would say that a good prof. rec. is the next most important...if you can establish a stellar relationship with college professor within your first term...I think that says so much more about your real life/communication skills and dedication than test scores......just my 2 cents:)</p>
<p>^ Thanks so much for your input! I'm hoping that because I'm part of a small honors program at the university, and as such there will only be 18 students in my classes, that establishing a positive relationship will be a bit less daunting than it would be if all my classes were huge freshmen lecture halls like they are at so many other schools. </p>
<p>Did you find it difficult to ask one of your professors to write for you? I'm a bit nervous about it, because in high school, all my teachers knew I was going off to college, but I almost feel like I'm showing some sort of disloyalty to the university (I've always been miserable about quitting jobs and the like, so I guess I'm looking at this from the same perspective).</p>
<p>thatbigbadwolfy - cornell, brown, tufts are probably the most sat flexible elite schools. Cornell doesnt require them. Tufts is indifferent if you choose not to submit. Brown will have them waived if you provide a good excuse. If your current institution did not require them then brown doesnt want them.</p>
<p>Yeah I was hearing that too, but this is just something to bring up with a scheduled interview.</p>
<p>Average GPA for Cornell transfer is 3.7 I think.</p>
<p>My friend's cousin jennifer had a 3.85 GPA, (waitlisted at dartmouth in high school) at boston college, with little EC's and got in. Not sure how SATs were factored in.</p>
<p>But I still want to submit it to them, and plus, studying for SAT (basic verbal and math) should sharpen my skills for CLEP or just stuff in general.</p>
<p>srcameron,
I didn't find it particularly difficult to ask for a recommendation from one of my professors. I think this is because I had established a strong relationship with my prof. b/f I asked for the rec. If you are thinking of transfering for Fall 2006 you have a GREAT opportunity to get a stellar rec. in the making. You're also at a huge advantage because you're in such a small program. I actually became friends with my professor before I was 100% sure that I wanted to transfer and he was in the department of my intented major so we had a lot to talk about. Visit office hours several times and build a good working relationship with you prof. before breaking the news about your intent to transfer...I was lucky, because my prof. asked me how my other classes were goin and how I was adjusting to life at my former college...so that kind of made the subject of transfer easy for me. When you have to ask for a rec. just mention that you've been thinking about transferring and the prof. may or may not want to discuss why...if they do ask why, make sure you're passionate about your reasons to leave but don't bash your present college. Then, if the time is right, ask whether your professor would be willing to write you a rec. and (if it's appropriate) explain why that professor knows you best (you can kind of remind your professor of your accomplishments if you do this). If they agree to write a rec...you might want to give them a concise resume to remind them of your interests/accomplishments. I don't think it'll be as bad as you think...I had the same concerns as you, srcameron, and everything worked out...Good Luck</p>