<p>Today I got my SAT scores back - I got a 1950 on my SAT. My parents saw the score today in the morning and they were . And now it's already in the afternoon and they haven't even stopped obsessing about it yet. </p>
<p>Now they're telling me how stupid and useless I am and how I'll never go to a good college because I did so badly on the SAT. And they keep comparing me to my other friend who got a 2290 on the SAT, saying that he's in the same grade as me and that I should at least be able to do as well as him if not better. And because I got like 340 points less than he did, they're considering me dumb. </p>
<p>They're telling me how I'm a and how I'll never do well in life. My dad is now forcing me to read my SAT book every day in order to help me practice for my next SAT which will probably be in a few months. My parents said that I'm going to keep taking the SAT over and over again until I get a 2300+, which is insane because I can probably never do that considering the score I have now. Also I have other, more important things to do than study for a 3-hour test like keep up with my classes and school activities. </p>
<p>The bad thing is that today is the last day of school and winter break starts tomorrow. It's a pretty long break so I was hoping that I could stay home and enjoy myself a little, but I guess that's not happening, especially not with my parents watching everything I do since I got such a "bad" score. </p>
<p>Well what should I do?
And is my score (1950) really that bad?
Is it true that I won't be able to get into a good college with that SAT score?
And out of curiosity, how much do colleges even care about your SAT anyway?</p>
<p>Colleges look somewhat heavily on SAT scores. However, it’s not really as hyped up as people make it sound, trust me. Your ECs (read: who you are and how you present yourself) are far more important.</p>
<p>1950 isn’t bad at all. I know many people who would give a lot for a 1950.</p>
<p>To put things in perspective, I got an 2270 (this was the October test) and my parents are still complaining about it. :P</p>
<p>1) Wrong section
2) the national average is like 1550, so your score cant be considered bad.If you/your parents are highly ambitious, then this is a different story
3)Colleges do care a lot about your SAT.In fact, when comes to college admission it is the most important factor as it is standarized test and offers the same for every kid in the worlds, whereas grades at school differ, as some schools are more competitive and rigorous.That`s why the SAT is generally more accurate predictor of your academic success than your GPA, ECs, Recommendations, and stuff .
Of course, you can always retake and score better.In fact, 1950 is not at all bad for a first time taker !</p>
Totally untrue. MIT and Harvard studies have found that the SAT is a completely crappy predictor, and even the test prep companies say so.</p>
<p>In addition, if you’re applying to a school in the midwest, you’d be lucky to get an admissions officer who even knows what an SAT is. <em>chuckle</em></p>
<p>Oh, and I hope your parents calm down eventually. You can always retake it, get a 2300, and laugh in their face. :D</p>
<p>You should not be unhappy with a 1950, especially assuming that this is the first time you took the test! You certainly have another opportunity or two to raise that score if you’d like, but it is not a poor score by any stretch of the imagination.</p>
<p>I think the combination of overzealous parenting and the intimidation factor of CollegeConfidential has contributed to the development of unnecessary inferiority complexes in those of us who cannot boast perfect 2400 SATs. I think what you have to ask yourself is whether YOU were unhappy with your 1950. Although it may sometimes slip their minds, your parents are NOT the ones who will be attending college next year; you have to be happy with your scores and decisions even if they are not.</p>
<p>That said, if you have Ivy ambitions like most of us on this site, my recommendation would be to retake the test because most who apply to the Ivy League and the first tier have achieved scores in the 2000+ range. You CAN do it; think of it as getting 2 more questions right in each section and the prospect of going up 50 points does not seem unachievable!</p>
<p>Good luck, relax, try to detach, and remember to find reasons to be proud of yourself. We can’t all be Einstein, now can we? ;)</p>
<p>Your score is really not bad. It’s neither sub-par nor average. It’s a very solid score. </p>
<p>I would tell anyone’s parents who says they’re dissapointed in them with an 1800+ to take 7 chill pills, then to take the SAT’s themselves. </p>
<p>I personally think parents don’t understand most things that students go through with school, tests and standardized exams and put way too much emphasis on the college that one goes to than what he/she does there. </p>
<p>Not saying that there shouldn’t be consideration on what school you attend but it’s a bit too much on the overrated scale.</p>
<p>And if you shouldn’t have to even ask this. Your score alone, in comparison to many other people should tell you that your not ******-up and…well, you should get my point by now.</p>
<p>okay i’ll be honest with you. a 1950 may not get you into Harvard but i know kids with a similar score such as that who have attended prestigious insitutions, not to mention a few ivys too. so to sum it all up, if its about prestige tell your parents to chillax. and the best way for you to improve (if you really want to) is not take their advice. seriously. just practice the way you feel like it. i was really laid back when i retook it and did significantly more better than hardcore prepping. stress is going to lead you nowhere. and is a 1950 all that bad? No. I agree with the previous posters; some people would die to have your score.</p>
<p>Eh, I’m not going to lie, that’s not that great of a score, BUT-</p>
<ol>
<li><p>This was your first time, right? Tell your parents to make some allowances for that. It’s fine.</p></li>
<li><p>And if they won’t, accuse their genetics for making you “stupid” lol. Some parents…</p></li>
<li><p>You have your ECs, grades, etc. And plus a 1950, like desi said, might even get you into some Ivies depending on the rest of your app.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>So yeah. Good luck resolving the matter with your parents, with pursuing that higher score (if you choose to), and with the rest of your way. :)</p>
<p>1950>my score (1900). I’m Asian. So, based on that, you shouldn’t feel ashamed for your score and you parents are being obsessed. Moreover, there are good colleges that see 1950 as a good score, such as UC Berkeley.</p>
lol</p>