SAT scores are bringing me down.

Applying to College
1

<p>So college applications are coming out in a couple months and the only thing really worrying me is my SAT scores which are probably going to bring me down a lot. I admit I suck at the SAT no matter how hard I studied for it (it just never clicked in)</p>

<p>SAT I: (Reading 520) (Writing 530) (Math 590)
SAT II: (Chemistry 610) (Math II 570) (US History 650)</p>

<p>I'm just wondering how will I stand when I apply to these main colleges of my choice: UCSD, UCI, UCD, UCR, Cal State Long Beach, Cal Poly Pomona, and Cal Poly SLO. I'm doing pretty well grade-wise (I got into the ELC since I'm top 4% of my school) and extracurricular-wise (I'm in a number of clubs at school and I also have an okay amount of community service. I've also been in varsity wrestling since freshman year).</p>

<p>I'm planning on retaking the SAT one last time, but if worse comes to worse I'm wondering how will I do against other applicants.</p>

2

<p>Do you take AP courses?</p>

3

<p>Have you considered the ACT?</p>

4

<p>I’ve so far taken four AP tests (Calculus AB, Chemistry, US, and AP Lang) I passed US and Lang. This year I am taking 3 AP classes (Gov/Econ, Calculus BC, and Psychology.</p>

5

<p>and yeah I’ve considered the ACT. I’m taking it next month.</p>

6

<p>Just checking…you do know that there is a guessing penalty for wrong answers on the SAT, right?</p>

7

<p>Yeah I know, and I also know that there is no guessing penalty for the ACT and the AP tests</p>

8

<p>Well, this may be cliche information, but review what you did wrong and try to fix it.</p>

9

<p>Yeah hahaha I know. I’m just wondering how do you think I’ll do when applying for these colleges.</p>

10

<p>Not good, to be honest. You don’t break the middle 50% in any of the sections.</p>

11

<p>All because of the SAT?</p>

12

<p>Well, I’m mainly referring to the UCs, who are very numbers-driven.</p>

13

<p>Hmm I see, well I’ll hope for the best next time I take the test. But I’m just wondering, even with the not-so-good SAT school, they’ll still consider my GPA and my extra-curricular stuff right?</p>

14

<p>Yeah. Try to at least break into the middle 50% on all three sections next time, though. Even the minimum will get you in the door.</p>

15

<p>Is this with any UC in particular? I thought it would probably only be UCLA, UCB, and UCSD that would be hard to get in with that SAT.</p>

16

<p>1640 is considered low for all of them. Might as well try to get your score up enough to consider at least one of them a safety.</p>