<p>Hi everyone,</p>
<p>I’m applying RD to Amherst this year (can’t do ED for various reasons, even though it’s my top choice) and I’m trying to figure out whether or not to submit my SAT and ACT, or just the ACT score. The only reason I’m asking is that my school gives us two GC’s (I don’t know why they do this), and (of course) both are telling me to do opposite things.</p>
<p>These are my scores -
SAT 2230
Math: 690
CR: 740
Writing: 800</p>
<p>ACT Composite 34
English 35 (Essay 11), Math 35, Reading 32, Science 32</p>
<p>SAT Subject Tests:
Math II: 750
World Hist: 800
U.S. Hist: 800
Literature: 730</p>
<p>All other things (grades, ECs, etc.) aside, should I submit both or will my SAT hurt me? The one GC says that my math SAT will hurt me, so I should just use my SAT IIs and my ACT. The other says that’s a stupid idea, and that it’ll hurt me worse to only submit the ACT. Any thoughts?</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>PS - I also got a 5 on the AP Calc AB exam - for some reason I do well on all math exams except the actual SAT…does this help the case either way?</p>
<p>Regardless of what you do, they are not going to deny you admission just based on your SAT math score. (My kid was accepted with the same score, and a little bit lower score on the MathII test.)</p>
<p>Those scores are excellent, and will not do you any harm. The problem is that admission is so competitive that decisions are made based on your whole application. Make sure you essays are great, your recs excellent, and highlight whatever it is that makes you unique, what you could bring to the student body. Good luck!</p>
<p>Take the ACT again. Study for the Reading and Math tests. If you get better subscores in any area, submit those ACTs too. Amherst superscores the ACT.</p>
<p>IMO, I don’t see any reason to take the ACT again. A 34 composite is at the 75th percentile. I also don’t see any harm in submitting the SAT as well, they are both excellent scores. My D had a much better ACT than SAT, but sent both, she took both just once and wanted to just put everything out there. Unless something is REALLY bad, I think full disclosure is a nice and refreshing thing. I wouldn’t worry about the math score, they will see the 35 math on your ACT. JMO.</p>
<p>Thanks everyone…I realized I made a slight typo in the ACT - my reading was a 34, not 32 - my bad. Not that it really matters, but perhaps that changes your opinion on retaking to improve the Reading section?</p>
<p>I guess I’m surprised at the suggestion to retake the ACT, rather than the SAT - I thought a 34 was above the Amherst average, around the 95-98th percentile?</p>
<p>I would retake the SAT (or, I guess, the ACT), but I’m not sure how I’d do since I have - quite literally - no time to study for either, and I don’t want to wreck my scores. I’ve already taken the SAT twice but I can’t seem to break 690 on math, which is annoying because it’s my best subject in school. It’s the stupid geometry from 7th grade…oy.</p>
<p>Anyway, thanks for the advice!</p>
<p>Submit the ACT. Your math score is amazing. Based on all the discussion in this forum about the open curriculum and attracting humanities students, I get the feeling that Amherst would really appreciate your impressive math ACT. </p>
<p>I don’t think I’d suggest submitting your SAT. The writing section really hasn’t been used by most colleges. The 690 math is good but not amazing. Your ACT are wonderful across the board. Why tempt the adcoms to look at SATs that aren’t up to your ACT level and come to a conclusion you don’t want them to?</p>
<p>My D2 only submitted ACTs that weren’t quite as high as yours. Her SATs were fine, not great. </p>
<p>Now it’s time to work on those essays…</p>
<p>I don’t think your Math SAT will hurt you. Your Math ACT and SAT II scores will more then compensate for it and full disclosure will not hurt your chances at admission. Also, a 4 or 5 in AP Calculus would help. But be confident and if the circunstances changes consider applying ED.</p>