<p>Hi! I am considering applying to several accelerated medical programs. Most of the schools either accept the ACT or the SAT. It came to my attention that the SAT is very important when applying to fast track med programs, rather than the ACT. Is this true? What if I am doing much better on the ACT than the SAT? Does submitting only my ACT score affect my application or chances of being selected? I perform somewhat mediocre on the SAT, and I feel like the ACT is much better suited to my abilities, plus I feel more comfortable with it. What are your thoughts?</p>
<p>Speaking from my experience, I applied with ACT and SAT II scores. My school really pushed the ACT, and for students that were applying to more competitive programs or schools, suggested the SAT II. In the end, solely using ACT scores did not seem to be much of an issue as both tests seem to hold equal weight nowadays.
Keep in mind, however, that some programs will request specific scores, so do your research! For example, some schools will ask for SAT scores with an SAT II in science, or just the ACT. I believe The College of New Jersey required SAT scores when I applied last year.
The best advice would be to scour each BS/MD information site for the information so you aren’t caught off guard. Your scores are just one factor in the process, so don’t stress!</p>
<p>Stony Med Scholars , besides New Jersey ONLY accepts SAT scores. TCNJ requires 1480 MINIMUM to apply(CR/M).</p>
<p>I would argue that for most people, it is harder to do well on the SAT I than the ACT when you get to 2000+ and 30+ respectively. Admissions officers know that, so I would agree with the people that claim that a 2300+ is worth more than a 35+ anyday, especially if you can prove your science and upper math ability with SAT IIs. More specifically to your question, many programs will accept both, but I think the SAT holds more weight. If you think about it, the trouble you’re having with doing better on theACT is shared by many</p>
<p>ABSOLUTELY correct…much better to face the music than to “dance” around the obvious…BRAVO !!</p>
<p>Some programs are definitely SAT only and even ask for subscores, so don’t take the ACT unless you know the places you’re applying to will accept it and not prefer the SAT.</p>
<p>Colleges view the ACT what you learned in high school and SAT that knowledge plus " reasoning skills" . If you are in the area of the country where ACT is customary it is fine but an east coast applicant is expected to have taken the SAT at least once.</p>
<p>Some schools (ivies in particular ) have that honor code expecting all standardized test scores to be submitted. Some schools don’t care but they know an SAT score may exist for an east coaster. Again Hernandez addresses this issue so if you don’t want to make her a millionaire for the tenth time go to your library and read her book for free.</p>
<p>You still have time in August to visit schools , admission officers and heads of BA/MD programs so you are not a ghost applicant.</p>
<p>If you are a rising senior start work on your common app and write a couple of essays and start to fine tune them. These programs have very early cut off dates so you have to apply early. Even general studies Rutgers honors with Presidential scholarship was early.</p>
<p>Some early action (not early decision) allow you to apply to one state school at the same time. My D did Yale and Rutgers and she only did two combined programs as a whim but that is what she chose. With the odds of obtaining an interview so small I would advocate 10 or more combined schools if I was certain about medical school.</p>
<p>Make a oaktag chart with all the schools with columns for app cutoffs , date app sent, date app payment sent, SAT submission date, SAT II sub, ACT sub, transcripts and letters of reference out, summer college transcripts out, college websites passwords, interview dates, FAFSA out, comments (such as call Ms Jones ad. officer once a month to show interest or provide updated info) , deposit dates etc.</p>
<p>Look at this chart daily for two minutes to stay ahead of the deadlines. Because the guidance counselor had 200 kids applying to college and my D had 14 apps, we made that many postal priority envelopes . Each was prepaid and weighed out and pre-addressed with passport photos so the guidance counselor just photocopied the transcripts, her rec., two teacher recs. and other documentation twice for early and standard admission dates and sealed it in the envelopes. They act as a gentle reminder to guidance since they have missed deadlines and impacted college admissions and scholarships in the past. Don’t burn the August daylight.</p>