<p>Hey :) I'm from Michigan, and have already taken the ACT twice (first time was a state-side testing, and I received a composite of 33. I took it again in June, and am hoping for a one to two point increase). My question is that if I am applying to Stanford, should I take the SAT as well? Is there any real reason to? I just noticed that 98% of all applicants submitted SAT scores, while only 24% submitted ACT scores, meaning that almost all who dared submit ACT scores coupled them with SAT scores. </p>
<p>Do you plan to take any subject tests? You can't send those subject scores and not send the SAT 1 score. You have to send them all. If you don't have to send your SAT scores, then yes take it to see if you do good. As long as you don't have to submit it, then take a shot at it. I think Stanford might see you as someone who is trying to find an easy way out and just show a 33 ACT(which is still good, but it doesn't show a lot about you).</p>
<p>It depends. A 33 is NOT a score upon which you need to improve. Stanford also has optional SAT II requirements. If I were you, I would submit the ACT, and submit two or three subject test scores. That way, you don't have to study for the SAT when your ACT is more than adequate, but at the same time you show them that you know your stuff by getting great scores on the SAT.</p>
<p>I have taken the Math 2, Literature, and Chemistry SAT IIs, with scores of 680, 720, and 760, respectively. I'm really sorry I didn't mention that in the original post; I just wanted to see, regardless of subject tests, if taking both SAT and ACT was customary for a college like Stanford.</p>
<p>"You can't send those subject scores and not send the SAT 1 score. You have to send them all." </p>
<p>Wait, why not?</p>
<p>Also, would those Literature and Chemistry scores be considered competitive at Stanford? (two SATIIs were recommended, so I'm hoping that the Math II score won't be considered as much)</p>
<p>I dunno, if you can do that well on the ACT, chances are you can do fairly well on the SAT, too, without too much extra studying. Plus, you have to take the SAT I if you're planning on taking any subject tests, so you mind find yourself needing to take it for that reason, anyway..</p>
<p>Wait -where does it say that I have to take the SAT I to take the SAT IIs, or submit them? I took the ACT, and the SAT IIs, and that's all that Stanford required.</p>
<p>Why exactly can't I just submit my SAT II scores? (I've never taken the SAT I, only the PSAT twice.)</p>
<p>To clarify all the previous posts. Collegeboard does a weird thing where you can't chose what scores to send a college. For example if you were sending your scores to college X, X would receive every SAT + SAT II score you have taken, including those with lower scores. That is why you probably shouldn't take the SAT since your ACT is already very high. I would simply work on those SAT II scores. Try to bring math and lit to 750+ and your testing part of the app should be fine. Hope this helped.</p>
<p>Hmm, I may be wrong, but I've always heard that you need both the SAT and the SAT II. Doesn't matter the order you take them in, but you need both. Then again, I've only heard that from the guidance office and kids at my school so it might not be correct.</p>
<p>I don't see why you wouldn't take the SAT, though. If you're really set on getting into Stanford, why wouldn't you get every possible advantage you could?</p>
<p>Thanks for the response, clarification, and advice, Vasudevank. It really helped, as I'm only familiar with the ACT's workings, and was worried for a while that I'd have to scramble and take the SAT I. I'll do my best to bring up the SAT II scores.</p>
<p>Quicksandslowly, from the info I have, the 75th percentile for ACT scores at Stanford is 33, so my score is relatively competitive, but I know I can/should do better, and that's why I retook it this month.</p>
<p>I never took the SAT. I took SAT subject tests and the ACT (score of 33) and got into Stanford and several other top universities without taking the SAT.</p>
<p>I agree with vas. To be honest, I think that you should improve on your SAT II scores, because your ACT is fine. Use the test date early next fall to get those out of the way, and then spend your time focusing on the actual apps.</p>
<p>Aren't the majority of ACT test takers kids who were dissatisfied with their SAT performance, and opted for the alternative. I was under the impression that there was an unspoken preference for the SAT, since it is easier for colleges to directly compare you with the other applicants (most people take SAT). And also the percentiles for the ACT are skewed, since some states mandate taking the test, and as I stated a vast cohort of ACT takers are poor standardized testers who were unhappy with their SAT scores. </p>
<p>In other words, if you can get an SAT score equivalent to your ACT, you would improve your chances.</p>
<p>Thanks for the link and scheduling advice, 2blue. I'm not sure if my PSAT score is applicable: I scored a 210, and received a letter from the Merit society asking which two colleges I would like my announcement sent to, but I think 210 was the cutoff score. This would put my chances at semifinalist pretty low, right?</p>
<p>I can't thank you enough for linking all of these great threads to me :D</p>
<p>Ah, alright, so I did make it by one point -though, as they only take the top 36k for semifinalists out of commended, and then a further cut for finalists (finalists are the only ones who need SAT I), should I still take the test? (my chances at semifinalist seem slim, or am I getting the structure of the national merit system wrong?)</p>
<p>Your ACT score is very good but remember Stanford is one of the most selective schools in America. I think you should take the SAT.Most of the students you will be competing with will have taken the SAT. I must agree with Baelor. Your SAT II scores need to be higher for Stanford. Keep in mind that Stanford accepted like 1 out of every 9 or 10 applications.</p>