<p>How much exactly does the SAT count in admissions?
Which is more impressive, a 3.4 and a 1200/1600 or a 3.0 and a 1350/1600? Assuming a pretty heavy course load (say 7 APs overall, and an upward trend.)</p>
<p>GPA is more important than scores, but scores are the number two factor.</p>
<p>3.4 and 1200 is better, a 3.0 will make most top-tier schools completely out of range, while a 1200 won’t.</p>
<p>Generally Hmom is right. You can check individual schools using their common data sets to see how much weight each element gets in admissions. Go to Section C.</p>
<p>how about a 1600/1600 with a 3.0? Just wondering if that puts you in the ballpark for top tier schools such as Columbia, Penn - or does the 3.0 keep you out?</p>
<p>this may be another discussion for another date, but what about a 3.5 GPA with all honors/ap or a 3.2 or so with less honors/ap, but still there?</p>
<p>tonytet I think you meant 3.2 with honors/ap, which I think is better, especially if the weighted GPA is higher, as it will mean your counselor will check either more or most rigorous.</p>
<p>mrmarky - you will not make it into ivies with a 3.0 gpa no matter what. unless that gpa makes you the top 10% or you have a hook</p>
<p>The single most important factor in college admissions is your HS transcript - the specific courses you take and the grades earned in those courses. That is because the single most powerful predictor for every measure of success in college (GPA, graduation rate, etc.) is the HS transcript. The SAT general exam score is a much weaker predictor than are SAT II scores and AP exam scores.</p>
<p>If you have a choice between preparing for the SAT/ACT, and working on your everyday schoolwork, do your schoolwork. If you consistently have bad luck with the SAT/ACT, check out the current list of exam optional colleges and universities at [The</a> National Center for Fair & Open Testing | FairTest](<a href=“http://www.fairtest.org%5DThe”>http://www.fairtest.org)</p>
<p>SAT is necessary, but not decisive, especially for top colleges.
But, in recent years, the weight of SAT is fading because tests preparation company makes a high score accessible to an increasing number of students, leading colleges to question its true value</p>
<p>GPA is very important, in general, it counts most</p>
<p>Yeah, I am interested in a 3.5 with only one or two (if any) APs against a 3.0 with five or more APs.
Or schools that weigh grades vs schools that don’t.</p>