I unexpectedly lost my grandfather late last April. We were very close and I took it extremely hard. I became depressed and, despite seeking professional help, my depression lasted several months.
Unfortunately, during this time I had to take my SAT. I ended up receiving a composite of 1430- 760 reading and 670 math. I am disappointed in my score, especially my math score, as I feel I should have been able to score higher. I should have been able to break a 700 in both areas. My initial SAT in March was my highest score and I only improved by 20 points on the math section when I took it a second and third time. I do blame myself for not being able to push personal issues aside and put my nose to the grindstone.
While I am disappointed in myself, I am disappointed because I know it was not an accurate representation of my abilities. Before my loss, I was on track and steadily improving. After my loss, it became harder to improve. My mother was very distraught and she needed to withdraw herself for a period of time, meaning that I did not have access to prep classes. While I did try to utilize online resources as best I could, it was an extremely hard period of time for me. Quite frankly, it felt like a battle to get out of bed most days and I experienced panic attacks almost every day. There were days where I could study and days where I couldn’t even eat or sit upright. It was awful.
While I am not proud of my overall score, I know my disdain comes from a place of self-criticism. I always try to be my best, but I missed the mark. However, I know there were outside circumstances that prevented me from being my best.
Should I mention this on my application? If so, where? I know I am not the only person to lose someone close to them and my goal is not to be pitied. I do not want to sound like I’m making excuses- there is no excuse for not doing my best. However, my loss and the depression that followed were a major part of my recent life and it did impact the application process. I do wish to provide an explanation so colleges know that my score is not necessarily a reflection of myself, so long as it is appropriate.
If you feel your scores should be higher, take the test again. If you don’t think you can score higher, then the scores do accurately reflect your abilities, and if you have taken it 3 times and all scores are in the same range, that probably is where you’d be even if you didn’t have the loss. Your scores are good.
I don’t think you should mention it. You might talk to your high school counselor and ask if he can comment that your grades and work really show your abilities and your tests seem low for you.
Honestly, if you took it 2 more times then that is where you are at. And that is okay…find a school that matches those SATs. If you are “better” than those SATs it will show in college and you will be a star.
Realize that a 1470 is a 98%tile score.
Many people don’t have access to prep classes (although Khan Academy is online and free) so you are not that disadvantaged.
Do not think 'Every point I get off of a homework or test is a point away from going to Harvard."
Think: “I need to do my best, and there will be a college that is right for me when I graduate.”
Do not think: "If I dont’ prep every day for the SAT to get an optimal score I am a failure.
Think: I did the best I could and there will be an awesome college for me.
Do not think “If I don’t go to an Ivy League School/Top20, I am doomed forever.”
Think: “No matter where I go, I can bloom where I am planted. I can get involved and shine.”
Do not think: “My life is over…the kid in my math class is taking 20 APs and I am taking 5. I will never succeed.”
Think: “I need to challenge myself, but only to the point where I can still do well.”
Your scores are actually quite good. You haven’t provided the context of what schools you’d like to apply to. That would give us more information of why you are unhappy with them. There are many great scores you can get into with those scores. You have not mentioned your GPA which is very, very important. For many schools now more important than the SAT.
As for your question, I agree with the previous posters.
Agree that you can take it again if you think you can improve your scores. Take the Nov. test. You can still register . If you mention your grandfather’s death (they have heard it before) its probably best to mention it in passing, that his death affected your performance as you worked though your grief. Did it affect your grades too, or just your test scores? If only your test scores, it is a less compelling argument, and you run the risk of it sounding more like an excuse than an explanation. Be careful.
When my son was a freshman he lost Both his grandmother and Great grandmother 3 days apart and a double funeral. It did affect his grades. He greatly improved during his sophomore /junior year. His counselor made a note of it in the school report that they do. It was pretty evident that something was off that year and it’s the only thing we could contribute it to.
That should be enough for you. If you feel to explain further (not sure I would), there is typically a section to give them more information about yourself. I would use that for something positive.
This and your other thread show you’re under a lot of tension. Try to take a breath. You’ve got some reasonable targets for those stats and ECs. The issue is the reaches.
There’s no good way to tell a college that, in a down period, your results aren’t what you hoped tor. College is pressure, too. Adcoms will wonder how you’ll tackle other challenges.
So try your best on the apps, present your best foot forward. You seem.nicely active in ECs.
It’s possible the GC can mention the family stress, but the idea us not just that. It helps when they can also note how you triumphed, despite.
That is the point of the GC report. To state despite this set back this student did xxxxx. To put a positive spin on it for the student. If it’s relevant.