Do colleges like Brandies take into account GPA and a student’s high school transcript as much as their SAT/ACT score? If a student receives an SAT score lower than what is the average from accepted students at the school, could a high GPA or good high school transcript help the student still receive acceptance?
Colleges look most closely at a student’s transcript … this means the grades and the rigor of the classes. SAT and ACT scores often play a more starring role than admission officials will concede, and can serve as a tie-breaker between similarly qualified contenders, but applicants ARE evaluated holistically. So if test scores aren’t up to snuff, the admission folks will ask, “What ELSE is strong?” If the answer is “Grades in tough courses,” this will be a big plus.
The admission committees also consider extracurricular accomplishments, diversity factors (race, nationality, geography, etc.), essays, recommendations, and whether the student meets any other institutional priorities (e.g. does the school need more future physicists or art historians and does this kid fill the bill?)
At colleges like the Ivies and their uber-competitive peers with acceptance rates in single digits, low SAT scores can definitely be a deal-breaker unless an applicant comes from a disadvantaged background or offers some other “hook.” But at places on a par with Brandeis—i.e., very selective but not HYPER-selective—an impressive transcript can definitely eclipse so-so SAT’s, as long as the SAT’s aren’t SO long that they suggest that the student might struggle if accepted.