Will a high SAT score help?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Ithaca College
1

Our son is interested in Ithaca, but his GPA is around 3.1 unweighted. He has taken mostly honors and AP classes, so it’s a bit higher weighted. I realize Ithaca is test optional, but will a 1320 SAT help his chances? He says the list of majors aligns with his interests very well, and he’s asked to visit this fall.

2

I would feel confident of admission with those numbers, especially with a respectable resume of honors/AP. I guess it perhaps could be dependent on his projected areas of interest for a major, and the applicant competition within those areas of study. Extra curriculars will also help his application.

3

Thanks, @nhparent9. Upon further review it looks like a lot of the majors he is most interested in, such as film and sports media, are quite competitive. His GPA could hurt him getting into the Park School. He’s planning on visiting within the next 4-6 weeks.

4

I would say a high SAT would definitely help if you’re lacking in the GPA. I’d say most colleges weigh the SAT/ACT above GPA, however the high SAT may only help in getting the general college, since you mentioned the programs he wants to apply for are quite competitive any supplements he provides (ie essays and maybe a possible video reel for the film school) need to show the school that he would be an excellent asset to the school.

5

A high SAT score will help no matter what your situation is.

6

Our S had a similar GPA (3.25) and similar course load (honors and APs mostly). He did well on the ACT and SAT and I’m pretty sure that’s why he was admitted. We were told that he might not have been competitive for the Park School with those stats.

7

Thanks, @mamaduck3. I figure he would have a good shot at getting in if his heart’s not set on Park. He should have a better idea whether he wants to apply after he visits next month. If most of the majors he’s interested in are in a school he’s not likely to get into Ithaca becomes a reach. Otherwise it’s probably a match. He has one reach already (Fordham), but they sent him a letter inviting him to apply for free. If it turns out what he wants to apply for at Ithaca is a reach, that’s ok.