<p>1440/2400 taken in jan 06. I graduated hs in 07. I'll begin community college in spring 10. I'll probably transfer for fall 12. Should I even bother taking the SAT again or should I focus exclusively on all things college?</p>
<p>Depends on where you hope to transfer. If it’s a state college they may not even look at scores. If you’re hoping for highly selective private colleges, you need to retake.</p>
<p>OrsonSwells, you could do things that would offset your SAT scores. Do very well at the community college level, do your best to maintain a 4.0. Get to know faculty, get involved in research if you have the opportunity. There are selective universities that do not require applicants of junior status to report their SAT scores.</p>
<p>This question is really hard to answer without knowing which college(s) you are interested in transferring to.</p>
<p>Schools I’m interested in 
Emory
Vanderbilt
Nyu
Usc
Ucla
Notre Dame
Georgetown
Gwu
Columbia GS
Stanford 
Cornell
Miami
Pepperdine
SUNY Geneseo
SUNY Binghamton</p>
<p>Yeah, I know I’m reaching for the stars with some of these schools. Gotta keep a positive attitude. :)</p>
<p>Absolutely need to retake.</p>
<p>Agreed. No offense, but 1440/2400 is just abysmal, particularly for school like Cornell, Stanford, Emory, Columbia… while I have no doubt that you have the ability to perform well in college, your SAT scores will stick out like a sore thumb. Study your butt off and don’t settle for anything below an 1800-1900 AT LEAST. I’m assuming you did badly because you slacked off, which is the only way such a drastic improvement is possible.</p>
<p>I slacked off BIG time throughout HS, not just my SAT. My GPA was 2.8 
Hopefully I’ll be able to redeem myself. Do you think if my scores improve too dramatically it will look suspicious? Should I explain why I did so bad?</p>
<p>OrsonSwells, even though your SAT scores aren’t competitive for the universities you are considering you should probably focus more on obtaining a high GPA and involve yourself in research if possible, be active. SAT scores become less meaningful the longer you are in university. Your grades at the community college will be very important. You should get to know your instructors/professors well. Get solid recommendations from faculty that can gauge your academic abilities, this will be important. Cornell doesn’t require junior transfer to submit their SAT scores.</p>
<p>I understand what your saying, but taking the SAT again certainly can’t hurt. If I take the test in December I’ll have plenty of time to improve my scores. I won’t be starting school until Spring 10 so I can put all my effort into dramatically improving my score.</p>
<p>Although it sure is a relief Cornell doesn’t look at SAT scores. According to another thread many top schools don’t even require SAT scores, so I may reconsider. I’m so confused :(</p>
<p>
[QUOTE=OrsonWells]
Do you think if my scores improve too dramatically it will look suspicious? Should I explain why I did so bad?
[/quote]
</p>
<p>If you want to apply to schools that require you to retake, then you definitely should. An improvement will not be suspicious, but it might not hurt to write in the additional comments how you lacked the academic background to do well on the SATs when you took them in high school and how your experiences at college have amde you a stronger student. </p>
<p>While homflysmith is right that GPA and research are important, retaking the SATs takes so little time (relative to the amount of time it takes to do research) that you should definitely do it.</p>
<p>Yes, you must retake and get a score well into the 2000s to have a shot at the schools on that list.</p>
<p>Many top schools not requiring scores is incorrect. Most that don’t are state schools though it is true of a few privates like Cornell and USC.</p>
<p>UNC Chapel Hill, Cornell, and the likes do not require Junior applicants to submit their SAT scores. If you want to focus on schools that do not require you as an applicant to submit your SAT scores then I’d say it would be a waste of time to retake the SAT. Instead of taking an aptitude test, show what your aptitude really is at the university level. UNC Chapel Hill in the past has accepted instate community college students with high GPAs. </p>
<p>If you don’t have much to offer at the university level, or there isn’t anything that is particularly interesting about you academically and you don’t stand out that much, then re-taking the SAT may be a good idea for the schools you are interested in. Once you are a Junior though your college record will be of significant importance.</p>
<p>Yeah, at this point I’m leaning towards not taking the SAT. I’d rather prove myself on the big stage- at the university level.</p>