Hello everyone!
I know one of my previous threads was about how my lame and low test scores were affecting the scholarships I was getting. I spoke with someone at ASU and tasked if I took the SAT or ACT test again with a higher score (Obviously), I could earn a bigger merit scholarship. Obviously this would be a no brainier, but I wasn’t sure. I am really willing to do this because I want to fund my own education. Could anyone offer some insight about the new SAT? My ACT score is horrendous.I really want to make this happen. Thank you!!! 
I don’t think taking it while you’re in college will affect the aid you get. If you retake the ACT or SAT, I think you have to do it during a gap year then apply to colleges that might give you aid for your scores. I think the best way to prepare is to keep taking practice tests and reviewing the answers until you’re confident in our ability to get the score range you want. Have you checked the SAT site to see if they have practice tests up yet?
It’s now March. It is my understanding by March, college merit money has already been distributed to future students. Only need based aid is given out at this point. Someone advised you wrong.
UAH still will take higher SAT scores until August.
How much will ASU cost you now?
What is your GPA, SAT, ACT score?
@mommdc, OP will get her financial aid package in a day or two. I think she believes the family will be full pay and that her parents will have to borrow the entire COA. She’s waiting for her financial aid package to have a discussion with them. Her ACT score was 19. I don’t think she’s taken the SAT at all. A lot hinges on the conversation she has with her parents.
@Lovenetc, Please update the other thread when you get your financial aid package and let us know what your parents think about the cost. I wouldn’t let them borrow the full cost of attendance, especially if you have younger siblings. Taking a gap year to increase scores is a good idea. Attending a community college is an option too, but don’t take any classes anywhere after high school graduation until you have a solid 4-year plan because it would make you ineligible for freshmen grants at most colleges.
Ask the school what the last test day is they will accept.
The old SAT score was reported as 1320, which is equivalent to the 19 ACT score. Not sure how low the bar is at ASU for “merit?” I suppose there is nothing to lose except the testing fee, but OP has reported that her parents don’t help with expenses, and that income is too high for a waiver. Since the SAT/ACT scores are so similar, unless there has been extensive prep I don’t foresee a drastic improvement.
Here’s what you need to do:
(1) Find out what the last score is that ASU will consider in awarding merit aid. Chances are that it’s already too late . . . but you can’t know unless you ask!
(2) Decide if it would be worth it to you to take a gap year so that you can improve your test scores and reapply.
If you are willing to do that, what you’d do is spend this summer prepping like crazy for the SAT (or ACT), then you’d reapply to ASU with your new and improved test scores. As for what you’d do the rest of the year, either get a job or join a program like Americorps.
It’s a tough decision, I know. But if you need to fund your education yourself, taking that gap year may be worth it.
Why not retry ACT? The libraries have all the study books. Just practice (timed) those tests over and over and over! You should see improvements each time you take a practice test! You should see a giant increase given you starting point and your GPA, which shows you have potential to do much better!
SAT, they now partner w Khan to put all the study stuff online free! Again, practice what they give over and over:). Unfortnately, no one has taken that test yet…
No point in taking either test again if the deadline for submitting scores to ASU has already passed . . . unless the OP is willing to take a gap year and reapply.
I have a contrarian point of view to some of the POV’s generally expressed on CC. OP- let me give it to you straight.
While some kids do somewhat better on the SAT than the ACT and vice-versa, in general, the tests are not going to turn water into wine (or use your own metaphor for “perform a miracle”.)
Without taking the time to really prepare, the idea that just switching tests is going to significantly boost your score is probably wishful thinking.
You need to decide how much time and energy you have to devote to test prep. If you are a voracious reader and have strong language skills with solid foundation in math, then go through a timed SAT and see how you do (no cheating on the time. Speed really counts). If you are rocking the old test then it’s worth taking a risk on the new one. But if your scores are similar to what you got on the ACT (there are lots of “conversion tables” online) then know that you are in for a long slog trying to raise your scores significantly.
Hello everyone, to all who have asked whether is it possible if I can re -send new test scores in time, this was what a Financial Rep told me:
“If you do plan on retaking your ACT/SAT you will want to contact your admissions representative because you would be able to send the updated scores to have your file reviewed for a higher amount in your scholarship.”
So let me get in touch with my Admissions Representative to see what can be done! Fingers crossed.
One thing to consider as noted in post #2 above is that while in theory they may be willing to review a revised score, in practice there may be little to no extra money to distribute at this phase of the admissions process. The next SAT test date is this Friday so I assume you would not be taking that test. After that, the next date is May 7th. Assume a few weeks after that to receive scores and you have to be realistic in wondering whether or not ASU would have any additional money available to offer you.
Obviously none of this applies if you take a gap year and reapply for next year.
The previous thread that Lovenetc mentions at the top of this thread is located [url=<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/1865833-why-am-i-not-winning-any-scholarships-p1.html%5Dhere%5B/url”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/1865833-why-am-i-not-winning-any-scholarships-p1.html]here[/url].
I agree that it’s important to do practice tests. I don’t think it’s possible for most people to increase a 19 ACT or 1320 SAT to scholarship level scores in a few weeks. It doesn’t hurt to study to try to raise them, but I don’t think it will help for this application cycle.
It’s really important to find out what, if anything, your parents can pay. Find that out and let us know.
It might be possible to take the SAT this Saturday as a walk-in, if there is room to accommodate her at a center in her community. But she might also get turned away. I think that the May testing date would be too late. It may be that the upcoming date is too late for more scholarshp money.
However, with no advance prep, the outcome on the new SAT might not be any better.
@Lovenetc - Did you take the PSAT in school this year? How did you do? It’s the same format as the new SAT. It should give you an idea about how you might score.
Hey guys! So I was looking around on ASU’s website, and I found this page:
https://students.asu.edu/scholarships/newamericanuniversity
There is a section called “Freshman Merit Scholarship Estimator”
Under that section, I saw this:
“We will review student’s eligibility for a higher award if a new test score is received by ASU on or before May 1. Be sure to request that your test scores be sent directly to ASU from the testing service.”
So should I stick with ACT or SAT? As someone pointed out that the new SAT test will have delayed score reporting time.
Hi, It looks like it is too late to take the SAT, unless you are taking it on Saturday. You would need to register for the ACT by tomorrow, and even then, your school might not have the score by May 1.
Hello, @oldUVAgrad Yes, I was reading the test dates and scores information. I don’t know if I should go for it though… 
Results from the new SAT will not be released until May. I do not believe College Board has promised a date, but the usual 19 day turnaround time will not happen for the first couple of new SAT administrations.
The ACT may be your only choice with a May 1st deadline. Even then, no guarantee you would receive the complete score by May 1st.
I noticed on the link you provided that you can estimate your scholarship. I plugged in the top scores for ACT, SAT and GPA and your class rank, which I believe is 2. It looks as if with the top scores you would be eligible for a Presidential Scholarship worth $9500, leaving an estimated cost of $14,356. You should probably plug in your anticipated scores and see if it is a worthwhile endeavor for you.