To Those Who Did "Poorly" - - - An Honest Analysis

<p>Hey guys,</p>

<p>I did well on the SAT this go around (2270), and I know that it looks like a lot of others did well, too.</p>

<p>But to those of you who think you did "poorly," please keep your heads up for several reasons:</p>

<p>1) Many people, I am dead serious, could be lying about their scores...definitely not a majority, but it's possible.</p>

<p>2) Even if very few or none are lying, many insane nerds with no lives come to CC as do many intelligent people caring about their future. This is no offense to them (many are very intelligent, do have friends, and are extremely friendly), but many of these scores you see posted are coming from the top 3-4%. Trust me--not this many people did so well all over America.</p>

<p>3) If you are a "straight A student" and did poorly, there a few explanations. The brutal truth may be grade inflation from an easy school, sucking up, etc. The other explanation may be that this is your first time taking the test: it's always hard the first time because of the length. If not the first time, you may just not be cut out for the SAT. It certainly isn't the most objective test around. </p>

<p>4) The SAT alone can't make or break your application. Keep that in mind. Your work at school and away from school mean so much more. </p>

<p>Guys, don't worry. You will be fine. You have so many opportunities ahead of you, and there is no need to lament over such a trivial test that means virtually nothing in real life.</p>

<p>A very positive post, iwantwharton. Just curious, but would you retake for your 2270? I got a 2290 this time (my first time) and I'm wondering if I should retake for 2300+.</p>

<p>It depends on where you want to go.</p>

<p>I'm stopping now because Georgetown only counts CR and M, which for me is 1530: 130 points about the average. </p>

<p>2290--I wouldn't re-take.</p>

<p>But for those who did poorly, again, just relax, it will be OK.</p>

<p>How much do you think Writing will be weighed for next year seniors? My lowest score was a 730 in Writing.</p>

<p>Writing is worth way less than math and critical reading. Georgetown, as I've said, doesn't count it. And I've heard Princeton basically ignores it compared to the app essays.</p>

<p>Even for next year's seniors? I sure hope so. If not for writing, my M/V score would be 1560. Thanks for your response, iwantwharton!</p>

<p>Meh, I got a 720 in CR, but I was never as good at that as I was at the other sections. And a lot of vocab I didn't know didn't help either. Will a high writing score help? Or is it generally discounted?</p>

<p>DarkRulerII, like I said, I think you're more than fine. 790 W is too high to be disregarded completely, lol, I'm sure that will pull your CR score up.</p>

<p>Meh, I don't think I will retake, since I can't do it in April b/c of a conflict, and Im saving May for SAT II USH.</p>

<p>You will be fine, don't worry about it.</p>

<p>i got a 1720 :(</p>

<p>Don't worry!</p>

<p>I am going to study my ass off....but it is so hard when I have a million other things to do...IB</p>

<p>Thanks iwantwharton, you put it so beautifully; it gives me hope.</p>

<p>I got a 1960; not a straight A student, but I'm enrolled in 5 AP classes with 1 B in of them. Grade inflation is definately one of the reason that SAT scores and my GPA don't show strong correlation. Honestly, its ridiculously easy to ace AP classes in a not-so-competitive public high school. Also, school grades are mostly about turning in homework in time, doing all the extra-credit work (maybe not for an AP class), and sometimes, flattering the teacher. And SAT level of 'critical reading' is usually unnecessary for most course works. </p>

<p>Nice post iwantwharton. Whartons my dream school also :)</p>

<p>Hahaha, I actually don't want to go to Wharton anymore. I made this user name a while back. Gtown baby!</p>

<p>Sooo what if your a B student like me that does great on the SAT... I must just be a smart slacker lol</p>

<p>Congratulations Rabidchickens. You're pretty cool, I say! Give yourself a pat on the back! You'll make a great accountant or secretary someday.</p>

<p>But seriously guys, iwantwharton is right. I have a 2270 SAT (combined) too, and I had to work for it. I used to go to a shoddy school in Arkansas where grade inflation was a problem (but now I go to a much better school still in Arkansas).</p>

<p>Do not pidgeonhole yourself if you have a bad SAT. If you FEEL you're smarter than your SAT, you probably are....and it's up to YOU to get the score you deserve.</p>

<p>If you choose not to work to achieve your score, you only have yourself to blame. But if you start working and spending less time on whining, you can get whatever score you think you're capable of. My original goal was a 2250, and I'm happy to say I got it.</p>

<p>what were your scores the first time you guys took it, those of you that scored like 2200's..? </p>

<p>I took it for the first time on the 28th.. blah 1950, but 218 psat.. everyone says psat isnt a very good indicator though.. lol, but you guys are really right.. its up to you to start working and pull the score up if it isnt where you want it.. Thanks for the post iwantwharton.. :)</p>

<p>Mine was a 2070 in October. And I actually did prepare for it... so I was shocked, to say the least.</p>