What are my chances for Ivy Leagues with lower SAT scores?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>I'm a really great student and all, but I'm nervous that I won't get into really great colleges because of my SAT scores. In January, I got 600 CR 600 M 580 W, and in May I got 590 CR 660 M 580 W. I do plan on taking them maybe two more times, max.</p>

<p>I did exceptionally well on the ACT, a 34 composite. (99th percentile, woooh!) However, I feel as if I'll be penalized for my "lower than average" SAT scores. Some other credentials of mine include:
female
hispanic
first generation
low income</p>

<p>Scholastically, I'm pretty well off too.
GPA: 4.129 weighted
AP US Hist. and AP Bio this year, next year AP Chem, AP Physics, AP Calc, AP English, AP Gov, AP Euro (if the class runs)
I have never taken a "General/normal" class. Ever. Everything is Honors or AP.
I've been on Science Olympiad (made it to states), Science Iditarod (took 1st place!!), Pennsylvania Academic Competition team, and I've competed in various math competitions</p>

<p>Extracurricular-wise...
I've been in marching band for 4 years (This year, I'm going to be colorguard captain)
I play flute/pic and have gone to various competitions in which I placed in (Despite playing only for 2 years now)
I went to District Chorus and placed 11th on Soprano 2
I'm the secretary of Key Club (going on 2 years!)
I'm the Vice President of SADD
I've been in various clubs, like Math Club and History Club</p>

<p>I have a very strong application in every aspect, except with my SAT scores. I was talking with my guidance counselor, and he said that I won't be penalized for my SAT because my ACT is exceptionally well and Ivy Leagues judge the best score. However, I was speaking with my AP US teacher, who just so happened to be a lawyer, and he said I'm going to have a very difficult time getting in any Ivy Leagues with my SAT scores. He did have a point when he said that "not everyone gets into Harvard", and that "they don't want students bringing down their SAT ranges because that keeps them as highly selective Ivy Leagues."</p>

<p>So, needless to say, I don't know what to do. I'm significantly lower than most Ivy League mid ranges. Do I even stand a chance against all of the applicants that got 700's-800's straight across the board?</p>

2

<p>You don’t even have to send your SAT. Just send your ACT and you’re fine.</p>

3

<p>Have you already sent those scores? If you have, then there’s nothing more you can do.
However if you haven’t, don’t send them!!!</p>

<p>What your teacher said is true but colleges have a holistic approach so bad SAT scores hurts just a bit.</p>

<p>Where are you applying to?</p>

4

<p>^^ agree. Be happy with your 34 and focus on more important parts of your app… Like essays</p>

5

<p>Hispanic AND first generation AND 34 on the ACT. Congratulations, nobody will reject you. The gist of college admissions is that these institutions are really very shallow when it comes to applications. In the case of diversity, that comes out in your favor. Also, you don’t need to send SAT scores. Just send your ACT and you’ll be fine.</p>

6

<p>Do not send your SATs the 34 is competitive for any school in the country.</p>

7

<p>The colleges will ignore your SAT, take the high ACT, and then (if they feel so inclined) convert it to an SAT equivalent. Your AP Prof is clueless (unless he simply didn’t know about your superior ACT)</p>

8

<p>littleraincloud: when are you applying to harvard ? Did you decide tot take the sat again ?</p>

9

<p>Congratulations on your excellent school work and ACT score. Want to make sure you have good informaiton and so prowled around the SAT web site a bit. </p>

<p>Your SAT scores are still close to the 90th percentile for your ethnicity (with the math score being higher than that; per SAT database for 2012 HS seniors) and thus likely will not be disqualifying even if some Ivies get a hold of them. Further, assuming you have an interest in math/science, you have hit the holy grail of URM status (say this very respectfully) ie URM, first generation, and female interested in math/science. This makes you extremely unique among applicants and will work to your advantage.</p>

<p>What is your class rank and how competitive is the HS you attend (look like you are taking a strong curriculum)? Ivies generally are obsessed with class rank and requirements range from vals/sals at Harvard and Yale to around top 5% at others (assuming your school district is made up of students generally in the same socio-economic status as you), with the Ivies rarely going below top 10% under any circumstances. </p>

<p>Per the SAT web site, some of the Ivies require SAT subject tests (Harvard, Princeton, Dartmouth, Columbia, and Cornell (SAT IIs are required just for some at Cornell, and I do not know criteria)), while others do not require them if you took the ACT with writing (Yale, Penn, and Brown). </p>

<p>At the ones that require subject tests, they will want to see all of your SAT scores and not just a selected group of them (it says pointedly on SAT site not to use score choice re SATs). They do promise though to consider higher SAT or ACT score. </p>

<p>Predict that you will get into several top schools. Good luck!</p>