Standardized Test Scores aren't Everything...Seriously

Applying to College
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<p>I've read a few "chance me" threads and in almost all instances, if the original poster's scores is "low" (ACT <30 or SAT <2000), replies would come in basically saying that his/her chances are from slim to none.
I've been observing at College Confidential for a year now and it seems like most of the people here are very uptight about scores.</p>

<p>The purpose of this thread is not to criticize any member; I just want to bring hope to those who think they will not make it because of their scores so why bother applying. Being in this forum, you might develop an inferiority complex, seriously.
So let me tell you a few instances that I personally know of when above average but not amazing scores can still get you in. </p>

<p>So just last year, a guy from my school got into UPenn with a 29 on the ACT. He took it once and didn't bother taking it again because he thought, at most, it would only bring his score up by a few points. His SAT II scores weren't perfect either, 710 and 690. I've seen people here who debate over taking their SAT II again with a 780 or 790. Com'on, don't waste your Saturdays like that. </p>

<p>Ok, even more inspirational stories: two girls who were my sister's childhood friend got into WashU with 26s on their ACT. They didn't take any SAT II either. </p>

<p>As you can see, scores aren't everything. I am not denying that they are not a factor, but don't let the endless perfect scores posted on this forum blow its importance out of proportion. </p>

<p>However, there is one thing in common between all of these people I've mentioned. They are very strong in other fields. The guy at UPenn took very demanding courses at my school. He was a full IB student. The girls were very active in their community and had great leadership experience. One of them have volunteered more than 1000 hours of service. </p>

<p>There is only so much you can do to earn a good score. Especially for those of you who come from impoverish backgrounds (living in the hood, parents didn't get a college education, going to a crappy public school, etc.), of course you will be at a disadvantage when it comes to these standardized tests. However, I'm sure colleges take that into consideration. </p>

<p>So instead of spending all of your time trying to improve your score by a point or two, debating whether you should apply to a college, or reading up people's reported scores on College Confidential to see where your own scores would get you to, go write an amaze college essay on how the unusual hardship in your life have made you stronger or become more involved in your community. Make the colleges see that while you might not be the kid with the perfect score, you still have a lot to offer.</p>

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<p>amen brotha!! (or sista...sorry if the initial assumption is wrong)</p>

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<p>friend got into cornell and is currently at johns hopkins with a 1780 and low 600s on SAT IIs.</p>

<p>funny enough she was waitlisted at suny geneseo</p>

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<p>Interesting.....brings hope back to me :)</p>

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<p>Scores may not be everything, but they count for a hell of a lot.</p>

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<p>Can you please back this up with common data set data? Somehow the colleges all seem to come up with higher and higher scores year over year. When you account for the 40% of any class that's hooked, it makes any college's median make total sense as a minimum for the vast majority of the unhooked. I'm not sure giving false hope is helpful. All the anecdotal stories are just stories, the common data sets are truth which speaks clearly.</p>

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<p>Amen. 10char :)</p>

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<p>I am an international student. It supposedly makes it harder. I have 2 schoolmates, who became first students from my country to get in Princeton and Harvard. The Princeton one had 1370/1600 (2050/2400), the Harvard kid had about the same. They were not some super-beast-guys with 934589^234 EC's and passion in each of them. They went to school. They studied. They did stuff outside of it. They were unique identities, and did not pad their resume. </p>

<p>How I see it, is as long as you get over some limit or you are somewhere near it, it matters who you are. And all the talk 'should I retake 2390 for Harvard' or 'I got a C, am I done for' is silly. It doesn't change your chances, there are numbers of 4.0 2400 who get rejected, and all the adcoms emphasize that scores do not mean anything near you getting in. You should know better than me that U.S. system is not academic merit based only (like in England, for example), and they view YOU as a whole, not your scores specifically.</p>

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<p>Good post :)</p>