SATs are not as important as you think.

Colleges and Universities A-Z Harvard University
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<p>After years of coming on CC and seeing people freak over SATs, overestimate their importance, and put down others who have "low" scores, I feel compelled to tell my story. For anyone who believes that the SATs, or any standardized test for that matter, is the biggest factor in admissions, I am here to prove you wrong. I wish to also give hope to underclassmen applying to colleges in the near future if they feel that their scores are lacking. </p>

<p>With an 1890 SAT score (640 CR, 630 M, 620 W), I was accepted at Harvard, Cornell, and Stanford, wait listed at Princeton, and rejected from Columbia. No, I do not have any hooks. Actually, to be honest, I am a white girl from CT, completely middle class, and probably considered an "average" (or with my scores, below average) Ivy applicant. </p>

<p>I did not have stellar SAT II's to help my scores (660 Math II 620 BIO) or AP scores (3 on Bio and 2 on Lit/Comp, but didn't send them in). I didn't do too well on the ACT either, so I just didn't send it in. </p>

<p>I'm not saying SATs are not important, I just want people to realize that they do not mean nearly as much as people on CC believe they do. If you have "low" scores like I did, it does NOT mean you don't have a shot at top schools. Don't let anyone discourage you from applying. </p>

<p>My grades were good, but nothing spectacular. I was not ranked in the top 10 of my high school class, but I was in the top 10%. I had a 3.87 UW GPA, maybe a couple A-'s. What I really believe got me into Harvard, Stanford, and Cornell were my extracurriculars and essays. I have been spending the last two years working on a sustainability project in Haiti regarding the 2010 earthquake and now speak fluent Creole. I have been working with NGO's in the Port au Prince area, trying to relocate families, educate children, and get people back on their feet. I was also captain and first seed player on the Varsity Tennis team, on the NHS Executive Board, and a tutor for dyslexic children.</p>

<p>For anyone applying to college next year or in the next couple years, I cannot stress how important your extracurriculars are. Do not go for quantity, but quality. Everything I did I had a top position in. I dabbled with clubs my freshman year, but did not include them in my application. Don't add filler fluff in your app either, it only waters down your achievements. Show the colleges you are applying to your true passions, how you wish to further pursue them in college, and how they will apply to your future career. Do NOT let anyone tell you you don't have a chance.. I didn't think I'd get into any of them and I ended up having to make the hardest choice of my life (Going to Stanford next year!! )! Write genuinely, work hard, follow your passions, and you will get into these schools!</p>

<p>Best of luck to everyone!</p>

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<p>Good for you for following your dreams, and nay-sayers don’t always have a point…but the SATs-matter nay-sayers are right that SATs usually, at least, matter. (For the people who don’t have the drive/ability/desire to have top-1%-of-the-applicant-pool extracurriculars.) You’ve just done so much and so much good that you’re the exception.</p>

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<p>I completely agree, SATs do matter, but only to a certain extent. It’s just that the majority of CCer’s completely overestimate their importance. Thank you for the kind words as well :)</p>

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<p>As a high school student in CT how do you spend so much time in Haiti?</p>

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<p>I went over spring break in 2010, then spent both summers in 2010 and 2011, thanksgiving breaks, christmas breaks, etc. i’d also go for long weekends… i go to a private school so we get random 3 and 4 day weekends</p>

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<p>The fact that you got in with your scores doesn’t mean that scores aren’t important; it means that the rest of your application was good enough to outweigh what would be a huge flaw in both everyone else’s application and yours. </p>

<p>I don’t know what point you’re trying to make, except that SATs aren’t 100% of admissions criteria.</p>

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<p>I never said scores were not important, only that they are not as important as everyone thinks they are. I’m simply trying to keep future applicants from getting discouraged if they do not have high scores.</p>

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<p>How important does everyone think they are? I think most people on this website are aware that a sub-2100 SAT score doesn’t automatically disqualify you, but it puts you at the bottom of a very competitive applicant pool in terms of one important criterion. If you think that lesson is in need of repeating, then okay fair enough.</p>

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<p>Well Dwight, I’m sure you are well aware of it, but all you have to do is check out some of the comments on the chance trends and you’ll see someone with an SAT of 2000 being told get it to 2250+. Ehhh I think it is important lesson to learn, though I think the OPs point in this trend was to point out the importance of doing something you love and writing about it in your essays rather than freak out about a test score. Well put wanderlust93, and perfect timing especially with SAT being today and all. :D</p>

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<p>Were you recruited to play tennis at Harvard?</p>

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<p>The fact remains that any SAT section/subject score below 750 “may” pose negative impacts toward one’s application. OP is trying to point out that SAT and other standardized tests do not make the most important aspect of an application. These tests are only there to “vaguely” compare students with the rest of the applicant pool. </p>

<p>Top colleges are looking for students who will contribute. They are looking for students who will use all the available resources and opportunities to make a difference and that is what I believe made OP get in to all those top universities. I agree with OP that applicants should focus on the quality of their ECs rather than quantity, but let’s face the fact that not everyone can achieve such amazing feats as high school students (I’m not saying it’s impossible, I’m just saying it’s difficult and it’s rare to find a student like that).</p>

<p>Back to my original point. I would like to caution against those reading this thread not to get carried away. Because standardized tests represent applicants with numbers, they will be the first things colleges look at in an application. Having bad scores can give a negative first impression and like Dwight said, will put an applicant at the bottom of the priority list. Now is it easy to climb out? No. If an applicant start out with low standardized test scores, he/she will not only have to compensate in other areas but also make a stronger impression. Given similar ECs and essays, there is no reason to prefer one person with lower test scores over a person with higher scores.</p>

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<p>I’m great with the original premise. I am wondering about all the trips to Haiti and who paid for them. If its an agency, great. If its the OPs parents, then this kind of activity is clearly only available for the rich, which I dohave a problem with. Thats not to diminish the OPs efforts, which are a great thing to do even if she did have to pay for it.</p>

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<p>tallgirl- No I was not recruited to play tennis… I am a decent player but nowhere near D-1 material</p>

<p>speakerboxer- The SATs were yesterday?! I guess that was perfect timing :slight_smile: Thank you! That is exactly what i am trying to say. I think showing your passion in what you want to study is crucial, and although SATs are important, I personally find it ridiculous that people consider retaking a 2300 (which I have seen numerous times on CC) or think that a 2150 is “low.” The whole application process is very subjective and I do believe that my extracurriculars greatly outweighed my lacking SAT scores, but this just shows you that admissions officers don’t just throw you in the “no” pile immediately after seeing your stats. I really do think it all comes down to your essays. </p>

<p>redpoint- I started by establishing a club at my high school for the relief effort, and then wanted more of the money we made through fundraising to go to the people, not my travel costs. I worked with a couple travel agencies and they were able to give me great discounts. After my first summer I met one of my best friends and now stay with her whenever I am down there. If you want to make something happen, you will figure out a way to make it work! </p>

<p>To all posters, I do not want anyone to get carried away with the whole “SATs don’t matter” thing. They definitely do matter, just not to the extent people on CC like to believe they do. Admissions, especially at top schools, is very holistic and also extremely unpredictable… don’t ever think you’re in because of a certain aspect you have going for you and never think you’re out because you’re lacking in an area.</p>

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<p>This work is a far, far better use of time then endlessly studying for the SAT. Of that I am sure.</p>

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<p>redpoint- thank you :slight_smile: it really means a lot!</p>

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<p>@wanderlust93: By any chance, are you a first generation college applicant (ie your parents do not go to college)? Also, did you apply early or regular to Harvard?</p>

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<p>I agree with you, the SAT emphasis is a bit over the top on CC. While most boast getting a near perfect score some of those applicants get a rejection from top universitues. The strengths can be in other areas and these universities will see it. Good job in your efforts for Haiti and good luck in Stanford!</p>

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<p>Visionary, yolie, look at the dates on the rest of this thread. I don’t think y’all are going to revive a conversation that had been dormant for 6 months until this morning.</p>

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<p>What you have done is exactly what I have read in a college admissions book a few weeks ago. Although your SATs are on the lower end of the spectrum at Stanford and Harvard, etc. you have a “spike” that distinguishes you from the others. Of course, the SAT still has an importance but can be overlooked with your grades and leadership positions…</p>

<p>Also, I talked to a Stanford admissions officer a few months ago and she said they were looking for people who were truly amazing or gifted at a certain thing. I guess you did just that :)</p>