<p>I haven't spent a whole lot of time on this site so I apologize if this is in the wrong spot. </p>
<p>Basically, I have a bit of an issue as far as my SAT and SAT subject tests go. Back in June, I took the SAT for the first time with no prep and scored a 2070. I was pretty disappointed, and I know I could score substantially better on a redo with the adequate amount of prepartion. That being said, Some schools I would like to apply to require (or "recommend") at least 2 SAT subject tests. If I wanted to apply somewhere on EA/ED, that leaves me only one SAT testing date left before November 1st. </p>
<p>Simply put, my question is this: What should I do? Should I use that testing date and retake the SAT? I'm very confident I could increase my score to at least 2200. Should I take some SAT II's to fill out my application? Should I forget about EA/ED in order to both improve my SAT and get some SAT subject test scores?</p>
<p>For reference, the school I'm considering applying Early Action to is Stanford. Stanford "recommends" at least 2 SAT subject tests. </p>
<p>Other information: </p>
<p>-Obviously, I am a senior this fall.
-My ACT score is 33, and I could retake this as well if needed.
-I have otherwise strong academics, with a 4.0 unweighted GPA and an abundance of AP and honors classes. </p>
<p>Your ACT is fine. Take the SAT II’s, as I think you’ve read correctly that that “recommendation” is a very strong hint. Don’t worry about the SAT I.</p>
<p>If you choose to apply EA/ED, I’m sure at worst you’ll be deferred, so you’ll have time to retake the SAT I/ACT and submit your new scores for consideration during the RD round.</p>
<p>My only fear with applying EA/ED is that I would be rejected BECAUSE of something I could otherwise improve by applying RD. I’ve heard that the ACT is held in higher regard than I usually tend to think, so if that’s true I could see how that would help. </p>
<p>Is applying EA/ED worth the risk of that? Is there any real benefit to doing it?</p>
<p>I don’t think you’ll be rejected because of your SAT or ACT scores. We don’t have ED/EA here, so I can’t speak from experience, but based on what I’ve read, it looks like EA/ED is a chance for the very qualified applicants to find out early if they’ve gotten in, at the expense of losing the opportunity to compare aid packages and needing to accept the offer of admission (for ED). If you don’t need aid, or your family has a low enough income that you are guaranteed a full ride (I think you should be fine either way, as Stanford is need-blind), then it’s a non-issue. </p>
<p>Beyond that, and this is my own opinion, I don’t think there’s much advantage to applying early, unless it’s ED, as if you’re qualified but not <em>that</em> qualified, you’ll be deferred and compared to the other qualified but-not-<em>very</em> students. ED is different, since it requires that you attend, so you’ll get a slight boost since they know that you will attend if accepted. But that’s just my opinion. :p</p>