<p>I just got my SAT scores for October...and its a 1650 (CR + Math: 1150) :(
I'm a senior, study very efficiently (Barron), took practice tests, and felt very confident before starting the test. It was my first time taking it. So yeah, I'm completely crushed right now. I've taken over 10 AP courses, 10 college courses and I really don't understand why I did so horribly. I took the ACT at the end of my sophomore year and got a 24. I felt more comfortable with the ACT and know that if I retake now, I can do so much better. Although in reality, it seems like many colleges (although they say they don't) would choose a student with a good SAT score over a student with a stellar ACT score. </p>
<p>I've had a lot of family issues going on so that's why it's my senior year and I'm now trying to get that great score for college and scholarships. I had a previous ambition to go into art & design but after rationalizing what I really want to do with my life and my potential, my plans completely changed.</p>
<p>So my academic prospects is to go into Biological or Mechanical Engineering. I'm applying for only 1 Ivy League and 3 technical universities. I feel my essays are strong and that my extracurriculars are intricate, but I know my SAT score will destroy my application completely. And I'm required to take two subject tests, one math and one science. I do feel more confident in the subject tests since they specify on a subject. Plus, I plan on taking them in my two most favorite subjects, Math Level 2 and Biology (probably M).</p>
<p>Is it true that even if you retake the SAT, there won't be much of an increase in your score? If so, should I take my chances and retake the ACT or go ahead and give the SAT another try? I'll be taking my subject tests in December but may decide to take the ACT or SAT again either in December or in January (latest test date for regular admissions). I know that the SAT or standardized testing in general may just be a major weakness of mine, but I just can't dismiss it. </p>
<p>Your advice would be much appreciated :)</p>
<p>It seems that, for a student who is still talking about applying to Ivy League colleges, you took a very casual approach to this process. Most students take each of the tests as juniors, and then - unless they are fully satisfied with both sets of results - take at least one of them again at the beginning of senior year. Relying on ACT scores from sophomore year, and a single set from the fall of your senior year, was imprudent, but it’s water under the bridge. I can’t foresee any plausible scenario whereby you would be competitive for admission to any Ivy League college. I don’t know which “technical colleges” you are considering, but the most elite STEM programs are certainly out of reach. If your grades are good, you should look at test-optional schools. It is extremely unlikely that, at this late date, you can raise your scores enough to make a meaningful difference. Your SAT score is slightly higher than your ACT, but you took the ACT as a sophomore, and so you might be able to bring it up. I hope that you have some good back-up options. </p>
<p>@woogzmama Thank you for taking the time to give me your opinion :)</p>
<p>I’m not really “relying” on my ACT score from sophomore year. I hate that score, but it’s kind of assistance on what test to retake. I honestly didn’t ask for advice on my college prospectives, but thanks for taking the time anyway. At least you proved the point I was trying to make to my parents, that colleges filter out students by looking at test scores before that even look at the first name of the applicant. Using phrases such as “extremely unlikely” and “can’t foresee any plausible scenario”…don’t you feel like you’re being a bit irrational towards my situation?</p>
<p>I would describe my situation in detail but it’s too personal. I’ve had many relocation and family issues during my high school years. I’ve moved three times within the past fours years due to them but still managed to take on rigorous coursework and passing with good grades. I’m finally stable my senior year but I know I have tests to take in order to get where I want to be and accomplish the goals and ambitions I want to embark on. I regret taking the so-called “casual approach” of applying for ONE Ivy League. I actually thought I was being rational in putting only one Ivy in consideration, but I guess I’m not thinking realistically.</p>
<p>Maybe I should’ve posted this thread in the first place if I was going to react like this 
but thank you again for taking the time to review my situation and giving your honest opinion. But I’ll still be juggling my choices in the meanwhile.</p>
<p>There is no such thing that any school would take SAT over ACT. Just pick the one you performed better and focus on it.</p>
<p>I feel what you mean about people on here being hostile sometimes! Even college moms get heated and competitive.</p>
<p>I think you should take your subject tests and retake the SATs- you’ve put my preparation into it than ACTs it seems. I took SATs three times and by the last one my score had increased by 180 points!</p>
<p>I would search for test optional schools. The fact that you’ve taken so many APs and have good grades in hard classes shows your potential just as well as a test score, you just need to find a school that looks at it that way.</p>
<p>You should also just find more safety schools with lower standards just to have some backups. Perhaps then you can do really well and go onto a really great graduate school for mechanical engineering!
Best of luck.</p>
<p>I’m sorry if I sounded hostile. I usually try to be more encouraging, and I realize that circumstances make it difficult for many students to follow the “typical” path in the college application process. Moving around meant you probably lacked any appropriate guidance. I am always saddened when I see students who are obviously diligent and ambitious fall through the cracks. You are not the first one I’ve encountered on this site who failed to sign up for tests at the optimal time. At this point, though, your options are severely hindered by the lapses in test enrollment. Without a baseline score, you had no opportunities to address your weaknesses for re-testing. You have plenty of opportunities. You are obviously qualified for a four-year college, but you need to have colleges that you can get into with the scores you have now. That 1150 CR+Math score is not disastrous, but it is unlikely to get you into an Ivy or highly-selective college. Only a tiny minority of students will get into those school. There are literally thousands of colleges where you can get in with your existing stats. </p>
<p>@woogzmama It’s alright, and sorry for reacting negatively. But I’ll do my research of test-optional schools. I’ve made the decision of taking my subject tests in December since I’ve already started studying for them and paid for them. I’ll also retake the ACT in January and prepare myself accordingly.</p>
<p>@ebart115 I’ll retake the ACT. If I put in the amount of preparation I did for the SAT into the ACT, I feel like I can get a pretty good score. I have a few safety (I’ve been accepted by two of them so far) but they’re schools that my parents want me to go to. My parents think that these colleges want to magically bestow me with a full-ride scholarship. A few of the colleges barely have an engineering program (and most not even accredited by ABET) while others don’t have any programs I’m interested in. But I am seriously considering these safety colleges due to my situation, especially if my ACT score doesn’t come out well. I’ll probably still apply for my prospective colleges if funds allows. Although I won’t know my ACT score before I submit my applications, it doesn’t hurt to try I guess.</p>