<p>My SAT scores are a little on the low side. The first time, I got 400 for both CR and Math and then 470 for CR and 430 for math the second time I took them. They're still low, but an improvement nonetheless.</p>
<p>My (burning) question is, will high GPAs (3.5), stellar essays, and excellent transcripts compensate for low SAT scores? Or are the scores one of the most important things for college admissions to state schools?</p>
<p>State schools tend to be a numbers game so scores that low will hurt you significantly.</p>
<p>Those are (no offense) pretty poor scores, especially for your GPA. Although I believe the SATs have very little to do with predicting intelligence (and I did really well), they are an integral part of the application, so you should take a prep course or at least study. Even though I think the SATs are BS for predicting intelligence you might as well do as best as you can after studying to get them up</p>
<p>There are schools that don’t require the SAT: [Optional</a> List | FairTest](<a href=“http://www.fairtest.org/university/optional]Optional”>ACT/SAT Optional List - Fairtest)</p>
<p>3.5 GPA is not considered high, and yes those SAT scores are low. Some colleges will allow acceptance even if your SAT scores are low, for example CSUs will accept most students with over 3.0 GPA almost instantly (of course we’re talking about the lower tier classed CSUs.)
If all doesn’t go well for you sir, you may want to apply to a community college, and if your GPA doesn’t suck, you can probably transfer.</p>
<p>Obviously, the answer to your question depends a lot on the school in question. But in general, they won’t compensate at schools where the Admissions Office can fill the class with applicants who have high grades, good essays AND good test scores; at other schools, quite possibly.</p>
<p>If you can’t increase your SAT scores, you might want to consider either trying the ACT instead–you’ve probably heard that some people do much better on one or the other–or using Erin’s Dad’s list of test-optional schools to maximize your options. But I think advising you to head directly off to community college is jumping the gun a bit.</p>
<p>“A 3.5 GPA isn’t considered high” well that depends on your high school. I have a 3.62 and I’m in the top 10% and it’s not cuz my school is dumb it’s just hard to get As</p>
<p>In general good essays, a high GPA, extracurriculars etc. will compensate for a lower SAT score, but your score is on the lower side. I suggest taking the ACT! I scored higher on the ACT, with no studying, than I did on the SAT and it helped me tremendously!!!</p>
<p>If I were you I wouldn’t worry about it too much if you’re going to an average school. Some schools are even score optional.</p>
<p>My D is a senior. I have to say D didn’t have stellar ACT or SAT scores. Her GPA is high. She applied to 11 schools and has heard back from 6 so far and has been accepted to all of them. One of which is a state school which is her dream school. Make sure you apply to some privates, some you know will get into and a reach school or two. Do you have great EC"s and are you athletic? I think that makes a big difference. Hope this helps;)</p>