Students often worry that taking the SAT test too many times will impact their chances of admission. At nearly 5 hours to administer, it’s a pain in the you-know-what to take the test more than once, but the reality is you can take it 100 times and it won’t even matter. Your focus should be on achieving the highest score possible. Here’s why…
Can You Take the SAT Test Too Many Times?(transcript)
Karl Schellscheidt: Kids sometimes ask me, “Is it bad if you take the SAT too many times?” The answer is no. You can’t take it too many times. You take it as many times as you need to get the score that you deserve. There are a lot of reasons you can do poorly on a given day. You could have gotten a bad night’s sleep. You could be sitting next to a kid with a cold who’s sneezing or coughing the whole test and it distracts you and throws you off and you don’t maximize your score on that day.
College admissions people are overworked and underpaid. Trust me, they’re not going to waste time sitting around talking about why you got what on a given test date. They’re just going to look at your best scores and that’s the end of it. So take the SATs as many times as you need to, to get the score that you deserve that will get you into the college of your choice.
Karl Schellscheidt
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August 4th, 2006 at 7:36 am
Wow! I like your style of getting straight to the point. What practical advise would you give for students who are either not motivated enough or simply not trained to get a reasonably high score for college admission?
August 4th, 2006 at 10:18 am
I am just a freshman how do I find out what test score levels are needed for each college to get in. I want to go to a good school like Harvard, Princeton or Cornell.
cool site!
August 4th, 2006 at 12:26 pm
Justin,
I find that for most kids, their lack of motivation comes from their lack of confidence. We all tend to be more motivated to do the things that come easily. Most kids simply need to get started. Once they do, they will find that they are smarter than they thought. In addition, with the proper guidance, they will see that the test is not really that hard. Finally, college and universities look for improvement, not just perfection.
Jeri,
I would go to the reference section of a big bookstore and look for a guide to colleges and universities. You don’t have to buy the book, just look up information on the schools that interest you most. Good luck. You can’t go wrong with Harvard, Princeton or Cornell.
October 12th, 2007 at 2:34 pm
My son wants to start taking the SAT this year. He is only in 7th grade. But, if it doesn’t matter how many times you take it, then that is ok right?
I thought it was a good idea because the more comfortable, I think the better.
What are your thoughts on this?
Thank you,
Audrey kernan
October 12th, 2007 at 11:53 pm
Dear Audrey,
I think it’s great that your son wants to start taking the SAT this year. However, unless he is applying for something like the Johns Hopkins summer program (which requires the submission of an SAT score), I would not bother with the real test yet. I don’t think he will gain much from the “real” test experience. What’s most important at his age is that he begin learning the content and developing the skills that are required to do well on the SAT when he takes it in high school. This, in my opinion, can be accomplished simply through diligence in school. If he wants to complete work that is specifically geared toward the SAT, I recommend that he take practice tests from The Official SAT Study Guide. ePrep’s free PSAT course is another good option.
October 23rd, 2007 at 11:27 pm
i am in 10th grade and i really want to get into Princeton but i am scared that my sat scores wont be good enough. i am envolved in many sports and ive done many student study programs in different countries. will that help my chances of getting into Princeton?
October 24th, 2007 at 9:33 am
Matt,
As far as SAT scores go, let me tell you a true story. A few years back, I met a girl who scored in the mid to high 400s on each SAT subject area (fyi, there was only math and verbal back then). She was distressed because, like you, her goal was Princeton and she knew that 400’s were not going to cut it. I convinced her that if she worked hard, her scores would improve. She is currently a senior at Princeton.
As far as extracurricular activities go, you should definitely focus on one or two. As ePrep guest expert Seamus Malin says in one of his video blogs, “Colleges are looking for well-lopsided students, not necessarily those who are merely well-rounded.” My advice is to figure out what you really like to do, and find a way to excell at it.
I hope my advice helps. Please do not hesitate to submit more questions/comments.
October 27th, 2007 at 10:21 pm
I am a senior studying in Toronto. I will be taking SAT tests (either subjects or reasoning) in November and December. I have trouble with deciding what I should take. I already took Maths Level 1 and 2, and American History and originally I planned to take Physics, but most of the curriculum is not covered in the Toronto physics program and thus I do not feel confident in taking Physics. I want to take the reasoning one again in decemeber, but it’s already my fourth time! As you mentioned above, it does not really matter how many times we take. So should I just not take Physics (since I am expecting a bad mark)and take reasoning once more?
THANKS!
October 28th, 2007 at 2:29 pm
Jennifer,
Many schools require two SAT subject test. Thus, you should be good to go with American History and one of the two maths. You should check with the colleges on your list, however, just to make sure. If you find that it is not necessary to take another subject test, scrap the Physics (especially if you don’t feel confindent about your chances of earning a high score).
I once tutored a girl who took the reasoning test 6 times. She is currently a junior at Dartmouth College. (It was not until December of senior year that she scored her best.) In other words, feel free to take the reasoning test until you have reached what you think is a maximum score.
I hope this advice helps. Please let me known what you decide and how things go.
October 28th, 2007 at 6:38 pm
Thanks very much! I checked all schools on my list and they all only require two subject tests.
November 14th, 2007 at 11:22 pm
Hey! I’m a junior and am going to be taking the test in December…however I heard from my friend that December is a really bad time to take the test because a lot of seniors are taking it because it’s their last available opportunity. Apparently, she said because there are so many people taking it, the curve could either be really good or really bad, so it’s a high risk situation. However, I’ve been searching the internet and cannot find any facts supporting that statement. Is this a myth?! Is there a best month to take the SAT?
November 15th, 2007 at 7:48 am
Rebecca,
With regard to the “curve,” December and January are actually the best times to take the test. Yes, there are a lot of seniors who take the test in December and January, but think about it — they are the low performing seniors who have not yet gotten the scores they want or need. The academically highest functioning seniors got the scores they needed last spring or early this fall. Many of them are applying early and, thus, are finished with the SAT.
If you are a junior who is ready to take the test now, you might as well compete with the lingering seniors in December or January. Good luck!
November 29th, 2007 at 6:17 pm
I am a sophomore and I am thinking about taking the SAT. I want
to know how many times per month is the SAT given? As a
sophomore, I am not as prepared as juniors and seniors who are
taking the the test now. If I recieve a bad score, and within the
next two years i recieve better grades. Will they take account
of the test I take this year?
November 30th, 2007 at 10:23 am
Raheel,
If I were you, I would simply wait until junior year to take the SAT for the first time. There is not much to gain by taking it as a sophomore. If you want to start getting ready now, that’s great. Continue to work hard in school, read widely, and build your vocabulary. If you want to do some SAT-specific work, take practice tests for now. ePrep Express is currently being offered free. I hope you take advantage of the opportunity.
By the way, while most colleges consider only your best SAT scores, you should know that all of your scores will be sent to all of the colleges on your final list.
November 30th, 2007 at 10:54 pm
Is there any tuth to the thought that taking the ACT or SAT when a greater number of studetns are taking it — like May or June, rather than January when many “together” brainiacs are taking it, ones scores (assuming one scores high to begin with) will be higher because they are judged against average last minute Joes, rather than “with it” students?
December 1st, 2007 at 10:03 am
Susan,
Please see my November 15th comment to Rebecca above. It doesn’t have so much to do with the “number” of students taking the test on a given day; it has more to do with the “quality” or “talent” of the testing pool.
December 2nd, 2007 at 11:25 am
Greetings! I have a question.
Currently, I am a senior and already applied early to Johns Hopkins Univ.. However, the thing
that is bothering me is my SAT reasoning score. I don’t have a stellar SAT score but I did take 4 SAT
subject tests, in which I got 800s. So do you think that my SAT subject test scores will cover up my
mediocre SAT score (2020)?
By the way, I took the December SAT yesterday.
December 2nd, 2007 at 1:27 pm
Mark,
Great job. I am very impressed with your SAT subject test performance. I think the admissions officers at Hopkins will be impressed as well. Let me know how the December test went, when you get your scores back. I would like to hear. By the way, 2020 is not too shabby
In case I have not made myself clear, I do think that your perfect SAT subject tests mitigate your “mediocre” SAT reasoning score.
December 2nd, 2007 at 6:49 pm
Thank you very much for your response!!
I’ll gladly let you know how the test when I get my scores back!
December 2nd, 2007 at 6:50 pm
“I’ll gladly let you know how the test when went I get my scores back!”
December 2nd, 2007 at 6:52 pm
Wow, sorry Mr. Karl!
I’m keep making silly mistakes! I was trying to type “I’ll gladly let you know how the test went when I get my scores back!”
By the way, this is a very cool site!
December 2nd, 2007 at 10:19 pm
No worries, Mark. I won’t mind your typos, if you don’t mind mine
Thanks for your kind words about the site. I look forward to hearing from you again. In the meantime, take care and keep studying hard.
December 20th, 2007 at 5:28 am
I just checked my SAT score. I got 2170! This tells me that your video-clips did REALLY help me a lot!
BTW, I got accepted into JHU through ED plan!
You were right!! Thanks Karl!
December 20th, 2007 at 7:46 am
Awesome, Mark. I am very happy for you. The valedictorian from my high school went to JHU. He now heads up the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice. (He was appointed by President Bush a couple of years ago.) Hopkins will put you on an amazing career track as well. I’m sure of it. It must be nice to have it all figured out in December. Now you can really enjoy the holidays. Congratulations again.
December 22nd, 2007 at 1:27 pm
Thanks again, Karl!
Yes, I feel so relaxed now! However, I eventually have to prepare for college. But before that, I have to tell lower classmen to take advantage of this wonderful site!
December 27th, 2007 at 1:34 am
What is a good SAT score for a hispanic applying to the Ivy Leagues? Right now i have a 1980 and I am retaking them in January after having read that the amount of times that one takes the test is not frowned upon by universities.
December 30th, 2007 at 5:20 pm
David,
I just returned from a holiday vacation. I will try to get you an answer by Wednesday. (I may have to do a little research.) In the meantime, have a happy new year.
January 2nd, 2008 at 9:04 am
David,
Here is a link to a College Board report that may be of interest to you:
http://www.collegeboard.com/prod_downloads/about/news_info/cbsenior/yr2007/national-report.pdf
Essentially, your score of 1980 is likely to put you in the high 90th percentile among Hispanic males. This is great. The tables, however, do not offer statistics on Hispanic males applying to Ivy League universities. My gut tells me that you should do what you can to break 2000 (or even 2100 or 2200), since you are so close already. The first person to finish all of ePrep’s 8 tests went up 450 points. While you are less than 450 from a perfect score, and the last points are the hardest to get, you may want to seriously consider using an ePrep for the SAT product to increase your chances of breaking into the 2000s.
Please do not hesitate to send follow-up questions. Good luck. You have a lot to be proud of already, by the way.
January 16th, 2008 at 11:02 pm
Thanks Karl. I decided not to sign up for the January SATs. However, I did some research and found that many top universities will accept hispanics with slightly lower SATs if they have good credentials and a relatively low socioeconomic status? Is this true? I know acceptance to the Ivy Leagues can be quite random.
January 17th, 2008 at 8:45 am
David,
I agree that top colleges seriously consider Hispanic applicants with “good credentials.” I do not, however, believe that “low socioeconomic status” provides an advantage. That’s not to say that a low socioeconomic status cannot lead to life experiences that people in admissions value. I just don’t think that socioeconomic status alone makes a difference.
I also agree with your comment regarding the seemingly random nature of Ivy League admissions. I know of a girl whose two older sisters went to Dartmouth. Dartmouth rejected her, . . . so she had to settle for Princeton. Personally, I was rejected by Columbia and admitted by Princeton. Go figure.
January 23rd, 2008 at 10:27 pm
Mr. Schellscheidt,
Is it not true that some colleges average your scores if you
take it 3 or more times?
Thank you.
January 24th, 2008 at 9:25 am
Sue,
Most colleges will take your highest scores. For example, if your January scores are Math 600, CR 650, and Writing 580, and your May scores are Math 550, CR 700, and Writing 630, colleges will consider your overall score to be 1930 (Math 600, CR 700, and Writing 630).
While some colleges do not even consider the Writing score, others are averaging it with the Critical Reading. As you create and refine your college list, you should contact individual colleges to learn about their SAT score policies. It is not inappropriate to ask.
January 24th, 2008 at 7:35 pm
I apologize in advance for the length of this e-mail. Sophomore year my son’s SAT reasoning score was 1900. He’s interested in MIT and has worked hard at taking more advanced classes since, including Algebra 2, Geometry and Writing Composition 3.He is homeschooled, and is currently taking Community College classes in College Math and Chemistry, which are going great so far. He’s planning to take physics and calculus there next year. So, we’re trying to decide when and which tests to take. MIT requires two subject tests, 1 in Math and 1 in science, as well as the SAT reasoning or ACT plus writing. We’re considering the chemistry subject test in May, along with either Math 1 or 2. Then take the SAT reasoning again in December, which will be his senior year. Can the SAT 2 tests be re-taken like SAT reasoning if the score isn’t as high as he’d like? Also, do you have a recommendation regarding which Math subject test he should take? Also, should we take them very early in the year so that he can re-take if he isn’t happy with his score?
January 24th, 2008 at 7:52 pm
Kim,
Sounds like your son is an unusually motivated student. You must be very proud.
If he wants to get into MIT, he should most certainly take the Level II SAT Math Subject Test. The Level II was designed for kids who are serious about math and science. (Almost every other MIT applicant in your son’s grade will be taking Level II. He will be at a disadvantage, if he relies on the Level I to fulfill MIT’s SAT Subject Test requirement.)
Yes, he can retake SAT Subject Tests, if he is not happy with his scores.
I would not let him wait until December of senior year to take the SAT reasoning test again. In the event that he has an off day, his last chance would be the January administration. That’s cutting it close, if you ask me.
I hope I answered at least some of your questions sufficiently. Please do not hesitate to send follow-up ones. Good luck and I hope to hear from you soon.
January 27th, 2008 at 7:41 pm
I frequently hear that after your third time of taking the SAT your scores begin being averaged?
Is this true?
January 28th, 2008 at 8:25 am
Taylor,
While every school is entited to establish it own policy regarding the interpretation of SAT scores, I do not think it is common practice for schools to average scores. It is more common for schools to simply consider your highest combination. (See my January 24th comment to Sue above.)
That being said, if you have a college list, there’s nothing inappropriate about contacting the schools and asking about their policies with regard to SAT scores. Good luck.
January 30th, 2008 at 11:48 pm
Thank you!
February 16th, 2008 at 12:04 am
This seems to be a cool website. I have a couple questions that I couldn’t find answers to elsewhere though.
I just took the SAT in January, got a 2150, in which I’m really disappointed. Everyone is telling me it’s actually a great score, but I got a 720 on the Critical Reading, a 760 on the Math, but only a 670 on the Writing. The only reason I messed up the writing so bad is that I didn’t finish my essay. I got 73/80 points on the multiple choice part, but only 6/12 points on the essay. I would recommend to anyone that reads this that you take a watch. I was going to take one, but upon searching my house, discovered that we all rely too heavily on our cell phones and no one in my family possesses a wristwatch. If you’re like this, I would suggest going out to Walmart and buying a cheap one. I had no clue how much time I had remaining, and was stopped midsentence, and due to my personal code of ethics, didn’t work on the essay portion after completing other portions as I saw others in the room do.
Anyways, I know I can do better if I take the test again, and I’ve heard there are limits as to how often you can take them, like once per 6 months or something like that, but I’m unable to find exactly what that limit is, and I’m hoping you can help me.
Also, I’m wondering if you know of any scholarships other than contest scholarships for a white heterosexual middle-class male. I am extremely interested in attending MIT, but my scores aren’t extremely exceptional, and my family can’t really afford for me to go there, and I’m not sure I want to leave college $200000 in debt.
February 16th, 2008 at 12:35 pm
Dennis,
–Thanks for the advice on timing.
–There is no limit on the number of times you can take the SAT in a given time period.
–We recently posted some information on scholarships. Here is the link:
http://blog.eprep.com/2007/11/20/weird-and-wacky-scholarships
Weird and wacky scholarships aside, you should know that a lot of schools provide students with scholarship money simply for high SAT scores. Unfortunately, I don’t think MIT is one of them.
–Good luck with your search. Free free to post a follow-up comment soon.
February 20th, 2008 at 5:41 pm
I’m a sophomore and have excellent grades, but tend not to score too well on standardized tests. (PSAT 83rd percentile). I would like to go to an Ivy league school. When would you recommend that I take the SAT for the first time and Should I take the free Kaplan course that is being offered at my school this year?
February 21st, 2008 at 8:20 am
James,
First of all, 83rd percentile on the PSAT is very good. Congratulations.
That being said, you may need a higher percentile on the SAT to get into an Ivy League school.
If I were you, I would take the PSAT again in October and the SAT in December.
You should at least try the free course that your school is offering. If you don’t like it, you can always drop out.
What were your PSAT subscores or percentiles, by the way? I’m curious to hear how you did in the different subject areas. Were they all around the 83rd percentile, or was there significant disparity? Again, just curious. Talk to you soon.
February 21st, 2008 at 3:07 pm
thanks for your response. PSAT subscores were:
Critical reading 50 (75th percentile)
Math 62 (94th percentile)
Writing skills 60 (94th percentile)
Selection Index 172 (83rd percentile)
What study methods or guides do you recommend and
when is it best to start working on them?
February 21st, 2008 at 6:25 pm
James,
I would get started on CR now. In my experience, its the one that takes the longest and the most effort to improve. (It also happens to be the most rewarding and empowering, by the way.) With regard to the Math and Writing, I would simply stay diligent in school. In other works, keep doing what you’re supposed to do in school.
Here is my advice:
Start with ePrep Express, it is free and will give you access to WordSmith. Use WordSmith to start building your vocabulary. Over the summer, read a lot, looking up the words you don’t know along the way. I would also begin doing practice tests in all three subject areas over the summer. If you can find more free options, terrific. If you cannot, you may want to seriously consider making an investment in the Standard Edition of ePrep for the SAT. The Standard Edition’s four tests will likely be enough to get you ready for both the PSAT in October and the SAT in December.
Good luck. Hope to hear from you again soon.
February 26th, 2008 at 5:54 pm
Can an adult who has graduated college is older than 40 years and owns a SAT prep business take the test? Can that person have their employees take the test…as many times as they want?
This situation acually exists.
Thank you for your reply.
February 26th, 2008 at 6:20 pm
Bettina,
I know of many private tutors who are in the habit of taking the SAT a few times a year. Some of them are certainly over the age of 40 and they all have college degrees.
If private tutors can do it, I don’t see what would stop people from test prep companies.
I guess the College Board doesn’t have much confidence in the average adult’s ability to memorize questions, tables, graphs, reading passages, etc.
I’m not sure how long a test stays “live” after an administration. I’ll ask around for an answer and let you know.
March 2nd, 2008 at 8:13 am
I have a daughter in the 8th Grade who is currently in the 12th Grade Level. She has taken Pre-Calculus, American and British Literature, Spanish V, Biology and Physics, 12th Grade English and many other courses many other courses. Would you recommend that she take the SAT? If so, what would be her next step after taking the SAT to being admitted into a college program? Thanks for your advice.
March 2nd, 2008 at 2:41 pm
Maggie,
Wow! Your daughter sounds like a pretty incredible kid. Since it seems like she’s already taken all the classes she needs to do well on the SAT, I can’t think of a reason why she shouldn’t take it.
After taking the SAT, she’d have the option of applying to the college of her choice. I do, however, want to add a story about a close friend of mine:
He entered Princeton as a 14-year-old. Life on campus was miserable for him; none of his classmates were particularly interested in socializing with a “little kid.” While he excelled academically, his social experience was so bad that he decided to live at home and commute from Manhattan after freshman year. (His mother put him on a public bus at 5:30 every morning and he would not arrive home until about 11:00 at night.) Needless to say, he quickly began to hate commuting as well. His solution: load up on classes and finish college as quickly as possible. He ultimately graduated from Princeton with honors at the ripe old age of 17. By the time he was 22, he had earned to advanced degrees from Harvard.
While my friend has always done well academically, I know that he regrets leaving his social peers behind. Thus, my advice, which I give humbly to another parent, is that, if your daughter wants to move ahead and she is happying doing so, support her any way you can. If, on the other hand, she wants time to simply play and socialize, I would support her in that decision as well.
Good luck. Hope to hear from you again soon.
March 3rd, 2008 at 11:01 am
I am a junior who needs your advice.
As an international student studying in the States, I am aiming for Stanfor U and UPenn.
I took my first SAT in my sophomore year to see what the SAT is like.
(I did not know about canceling score back then…)
I got a score of 1900; I have studied hard(?) since then.
I just took my second SAT test two days ago.
I was pretty confident, but i failed to manage time well… (ughh!!)
I still remember problems that I could have gotten right… they are stuck in my head.
And, I am pretty sure that the score would be between 2000 ~ 2200-if i get really lucky and get all the problems that i had to ruch to solve right
I wonder if i have to cancel this test score….
Even though I’m pleased to read your article, I’m still really worried that colleges will look at all my scores and they will impact my application process negatively.
Thank you for your advice.
March 3rd, 2008 at 11:07 am
the thing is that I was hoping to get a score between 2200-2350 for sure..
and I am sure that this test i just took will not give me a score that can satisfy me and assure a successful application process in the future…….
if i am sure that i’m not going to get a score that I want to have,
is it better to cancel it?
March 3rd, 2008 at 11:13 am
Joon,
I definitely understand your concern. Most colleges, however, will consider only your highest combination. Admission officers are overworked; they simply don’t have the time to disect and discuss each applicant’s SAT history. (Not to mention that doing so would be a misguided effort.)
That being said, if you think you failed to reach your maximum potential in each of the three subject areas, you might as well cancel your March 1st scores. If you think you may have “nailed” at least one of the three sections, however, I encourage you to keep your March 1st scores.
Finally, you always have the option of contacting Stanford and UPenn to ask about their SAT score policies. (I went to UPenn for law school, by the way. It is truly a top-notch university.)
Good luck. Let me know what decide.
March 20th, 2008 at 4:57 pm
Hi Karl,
I just got my SAT scores back today and I got a 2040.
740-Math
650-Critical Reading
650-Writing
The first time I took the SAT’s I got an 1830.
650-Math
590-Critical Reading
590-Writing
I really want to go to one of the great schools for college(Princeton,
Harvard, Yale). It’s great news that colleges don’t really care how many
times you take it, but what runs through their minds as they
see my standardized scores? Do you think that if I raised by score another
210 points, to a 2250, it would really raise my chances? Should I worry
about the writing section because most schools don’t report that in their
statistics? By the way, I’m a junior.
I would really appreciate a reply. Thanks!
March 25th, 2008 at 5:43 pm
SunDeep,
Sorry for the delayed response. I somehow did not notice your comment when it was posted.
If you can raise your score another 210, you will definitely improve your chances of admission. I would not neglect the writing section, however. Preparing for it will help improve your writing skills, which are clearly important in college.
You should spend as much time as you can over the summer reading and building what the College Board calls “a large and varied working vocabulary.” You’re only a few questions away from getting into the 700s.
As far as math goes, you need to push yourself. If you can get a 740, you can get an 800 with some extra practice. If you fail and get a 790 or 780, you’ll still be better off.
Good luck.
March 29th, 2008 at 7:25 pm
Hey Karl,
I’ve taken the SAT twice. The first time, I got an 1810, and the second time I got a 2070 (740M 660CR 670W). I have a weighted GPA of 4.32, (3.8 unweighted), have played Ice Hockey for 12 years, am on student council, participate in Model UN (recently winning at Berkeley) and I founded (and am currently president of) two clubs on our campus, operation save darfur and the junior statesmen of america.
My question is, should I take the SAT again? Or should I take the ACT, or both?
I want to go to apply at: UCLA, Berkeley, USC, Stanford, Columbia, Harvard, MIT, NYU, Georgetown
Advice? Thanks
March 30th, 2008 at 2:00 pm
Michael,
What? No Princeton. (Just joking. Your list is impressive.)
How good are you at hockey? In other words, are you being recruited? If so, you will likely get in with your current scores. If not, I would take the SAT again, instead of the ACT.
The math score is awesome. With a little more practice, and luck, however, you might be able to get the 800. You might as well go for it.
With some practice you should be able to get the writing into the 700s. The critical reading is a bit tougher to improve on, but then again, you do have the whole summer to build your vocabulary and read widely.
The bottomline is this: Since you will likely wind up at a very challenging college, you might as will work on your vocabulary, reading skills, and writing skills now. They’ll help you score higher on the SAT and you’re going to need them in order to excel at the next level. I, for one, have never regretted investing in my own education.
I hope this advice helps. Good luck. Let me know what you decide, if you get a chance.
April 2nd, 2008 at 9:47 am
Hello, I am currently a junior in high school,
and i need advice.
I am planning to take the SATs on May, and maybe in June.
I am very nervous because for I know I haven’t done so much
to prepare for the test, because of my busy schedule.
I am currently taking three AP classes (AP English III,
AP Psychology, and AP European History)and two honors courses,
so I will also be taking AP exams sometime during May.
I want to apply to a number of schools (NYU, Berkeley, UCLA,
John Hopkins, Dartmouth, Stanford, Harvard, and
UPenn.), but I am worried that my grades may not
up to par. I read this at the NYU website:
“Is it better to get a “B” in an honors or AP course
or an “A” in a regular course? The answer, of course,
is that it’s better to get an “A” in the honors or AP course!
The fact is that our admitted applicants do get
the best grades in the toughest courses.)”
Recently, I have gotten a B in U.S. History Honors,
AP European History, and AP English.
However, this is only my third quarter grade,
not my semester grade, so there is still a chance that
i might get an A if i do well during fourth quarter
because they average the two grades, and the average
will be what they put on my transcript.
On the chance that I do not earn an A, however,
I would like to know the chances of me being admitted.
I have heard that a senior in my school got accepted into NYU,
even though she’s gotten B’s and C’s before.
Some say it was because she got extremely high scores on the
SATs. Does this mean that SAT scores are placed with maybe
more importance than grades?
I’ve also heard that if you’ve taken the SATs more than once,
you mix your scores up, so you that you can get the highest
SAT score possible.
“…you can mix and match your scores (SAT only, NOT ACT)
so that if you took the SAT three times and got:
English- 800 Math- 600 Reading- 600
English- 700 Math- 740 Reading- 800
English- 640 Math- 780 Reading- 700
When colleges look at your scores,
they will count your final score as 800, 780, 800 (2380!).”
Is this true?
And does participating in various extra curricular activities
and organizations significantly increase chances of being
admitted? I have participated in Student Council,
was a member of Mock Trial for 2 years (I am not a member now),
played on the tennis team (i no longer play), and
am in NHS. However, I have not held a leadership position
in any of these.
I would also appreciate some advice also on how to handle
the AP tests I will be taking
(it seems very overwhelming right now).
thanks.
April 3rd, 2008 at 7:40 am
Shermaine,
Wow, you seem to have a lot going on and a lot on your mind.
Yes, most colleges will take your highest SAT combination. In other words, the final SAT score of the student in your example above would be 2380.
Thus, in preparing for the May SAT, I encourage you to prepare in earnest for only one of the three subject areas. (I’m afraid that if you try to prepare for all three, you will spread yourself too thin and underperform in each.)
It is a good sign that someone from your high school got into NYU before you. Ask your guidance counselor to give you statistics alums who were recently admitted to the schools on your list. See how you compare with them. Doing so will give you a good sense of your chances of being admitted by those schools.
The advice to “get an A in the honors or AP course” may sound like a cheeky response, but there is some valuable advice in that exhortation. Most kids are capable of doing so much better than they think. Push yourself. You’ll be surprised at what you can achieve.
As far as extracurricular activities go, it’s a good idea to excel at something you really like. Most colleges value students who show a deep and committed passion for something. What that “something” is doesn’t really matter.
I hope I answered at least some of your questions. You seem to be a very conscientious student. Like your conscience guide you and remember, college is not the end-all-be-all. You have a lifetime of learning and self-improvement ahead of you.
Good luck. Hope to hear from you again soon.
April 21st, 2008 at 7:53 pm
Hi,
I’m a sophmore/Junior at a High School in Texas.
I get 85-97s in all my classes and my only extracurricular activity is a ecology club at our school.
I wantto get into Berkeley or UCLA but i really don’t know if i can make it
based on my schooling and SAT scores.
As some people say, SAT scores don’t especially matter to colleges.
I was just wondering if there is any hope or if i should re-think my college choices.
Thank You,
Natalie.
April 21st, 2008 at 7:55 pm
Hi,
I’m a sophmore/Junior at a High School in Texas.
I get 85-97s in all my classes and my only extracurricular activity is a ecology club at our school.
However I am in pretty much all Pre-AP, AP, or Dual Credit classes.
I skipped 8th grade and I’m graduating early.
Which means I will be 15 when i graduate.
I want to get into Berkeley or UCLA but i really don’t know if i can make it
based on my schooling and SAT scores.
As some people say, SAT scores don’t especially matter to colleges.
I was just wondering if there is any hope or if i should re-think my college choices.
Thank You,
Natalie.
April 21st, 2008 at 8:23 pm
Also, this may be an odd question but, can you take the PSATs after you have taken the SATs?
April 23rd, 2008 at 7:26 am
Natalie,
Sorry for the delay in responding to your inquiries, but I was out of the office all day yesterday.
Your grades are good. Since colleges like to see upward trends in grades, I suggest that you continue to study hard. Based on your grades, you should be able to score high enough on the SAT to get into schools like Berkeley and UCLA.
Rather than rely on my advice, however, you should work closely with your school’s college guidance office. They will be able to give you a more realistic assessment of your chances of getting into the schools of your choice.
Yes, you can take the PSAT after you’ve taken an SAT.
Good luck.
May 3rd, 2008 at 5:12 pm
1.) What are schools’ policies on mixing scores from two tests?
Let’s say I score high on math the first time I test and high on
reading the second time. Will colleges consider a total score
calculated with both high scores?
2.) I took the ACT and scored poorly. Unfortunately, I had the
test automatically send my scores to colleges. My SAT scores are
decent though. Will colleges ignore my ACT?
May 4th, 2008 at 9:04 am
Hello,
Right now, I am junior in high school.
I got a 2250 on my SAT’s:
740 CR
780 Math
730 Writing
Should I take it again to try and break 2300, or is that good enough to get into the ivy’s?
Also, is it frowned upon to take the same SAT Subject tests more than once?
Thanks.
May 4th, 2008 at 9:36 am
Alfred,
1) Most colleges will consider only your highest combination. So, yes, they will take your highest math and highest critical reading, even if they were earned on different test dates.
2) Yes, colleges will ignore the ACT and focus on your (higher) SAT.
Good luck.
May 4th, 2008 at 9:38 am
Angela,
Your scores are pretty awesome. I think your chances of being admitted will have more to do with your grades and extracurricular activities than anything else. Unless you’re pretty sure you can do better, you shouldn’t bother taking the SAT again. Good luck.
May 4th, 2008 at 7:29 pm
Thanks for your response! I feel much more comfortable with my
scores now.
May 14th, 2008 at 5:36 pm
Karl,
I heard that if you take the SAT three times or less, then colleges will take your top scores for each test as your total overall score, but if you take the SAT four or more times then your average of all your testing is the score that will be taken as your overall score. Is this true? I am finishing my junior year and plan on taking the SAT in June and will likely take it again in the fall. I am just wondering whether to take it a fourth time depending on this way of recording my score.
May 15th, 2008 at 7:23 am
Patsy,
I know a lot of people in admissions and I have never heard of the practice you described in your comment. Now, I’m not saying that there aren’t schools that will average scores, what I am saying is that I have never heard of such a practice. To play it safe, once you have your college list together, you should check each school’s policy.
In any case, if your fourth test scores are high, you will benefit regardless of whether or not your scores are averaged. Have faith in yourself. If you take the summer to prepare the “right” way (by building your vocabulary, improving your problem solving skills, etc.), everything you do will help you score higher on the SAT in the fall and help you prepare for senior year, college, and life beyond.
Good luck!
May 22nd, 2008 at 11:54 am
Karl,
To give you an overview:
I am a junior at a public high school, white, having attended a prestigious private high school for sophmore and freshman years. I was very involved at my old school as editor of the newspaper and in numerous clubs. At my school, now, I am not involved in any extracurriculars whatsoever, besides the lackluster “Latin National Honors Society,” a total farse. Anyways, I got the following on my SAT’s today (scores were reported online today, May 22)
CR: 680
Math: 650
Writing: 710
for a combined 2040.
My gpa is probably around a 3.5 or 3.6 unweighted, and a 3.8 or 3.9 weighted
I am in all Honors and AP classes.
Do you think I should take the test again? Mind you, I am positive I could do better on the writing section (I didn’t complete my essay), but I am apprehensive about the Math section–I had been taking practice tests in preparation for the test and never scored above a 630.
Also, as a cynic, I have come to the conclusion that although admissions officers claim to only consider your highest scores, in reality, all scores are at least somewhat considered (for instance, if I recieved a 2000 and then earned a 2400, admissions officers would not regard me as highly as someone who recieved a 2400 on their first attempt, and might even blame the perfect score on coaching or test prep.) Please debunk this argument; it scares me.
And finally, in total honesty, are ivies a reach for me?
Thanks and pardon the length,
Monsieur Robert Viano
May 23rd, 2008 at 8:32 am
Robert,
Your current scores are great. Congratulations.
If you think you can do better in Writing, you should definitely go for it. I would also like to mention that you are only about 2 questions away from a 700 in CR. Thus, you should strongly consider extra reading and vocabulary building over the summer months. (Improved reading comprehension and a larger and more varied working vocabulary will pay dividends in college as well.)
I think you need to push yourself in Math. I don’t see any reason why you can’t practice enough to get into the 700s. You should take advantage of ePrep’s free “ePrep for the SAT” trial. I think the math section of my program can help you break into the 700s in math. (The free trial is a risk free way to decide whether you think it can help you.)
Remember, most colleges receive tens of thousands of applications each year. Admissions people are not going to waste time trying to figure out why you scored what on a given test day. Furthermore, each year colleges report the average SAT scores of their freshman classes. All colleges want to project the image of being highly selective. Thus, they will use the highest SAT combination when they calculate such averages. What I am trying to say is that because colleges want to report the highest SAT scores possible after admitting a class, they will consider highest combinations during the admission process.
You asked for honesty, so here it is: Given what you have told me, which is very little, I think the Ivies are a stretch. (Now, I’m not saying that you couldn’t do the work, or even thrive at an Ivy League school, I’m saying that I don’t think you will be admitted — again based on the little you have told me about yourself.) Your grades are fine and your SAT scores are in the right range. What you seem to be missing are extracurricular interests/talents that attract coaches, faculty members, and admission officers. (There are a lot of applicants with high GPAs and high SATs.)
That being said, there may be something about you — that you haven’t disclosed — that would attract highly selective colleges. Also, the Ivies are not the only schools that can delivery a quality education. (On average, I had better teachers at Seton Hall University than I did at Princeton.) Please keep in mind that what you get out of college is highly dependent on what you put into it.
I hope this helps. Please send an update when you get a chance. Also, please do not hesitate to ask follow-up questions.
May 23rd, 2008 at 5:10 pm
Hi,
I am from Hong Kong, no longer in high school and am now preparing for the Cambridge GCE.
I did very badly in high school. The grades I got seem terrible to admissions of any college in US. While universities only look at the results of public exams, I also did badly in the exams, such as HKCEE, the equivalent to IGCSE. Therefore, I am taking GCE in order to matriculate in Hong Kong and compensate for my poor grades for admission to US colleges. Would people like me who have awufully poor grades or GPA be ever admitted by selective colleges in US?
I took the SAT Reasoning Test in 10/2007 and got a very poor score 1580(CR440, M700, CR440). Then, I tried to apply to a liberal college in US with that SAT score but was rejected for the reason that my high school grades were too disappointing.
Recently, I took the SAT in Math Level 2 in May but hadn’t done much practice before the test. Eventaully, I scored a 720. I am taking it again for a 760 or even 800, and the test in physics in June. Both tests will be viewed by the HK universities I have applied to. Could you advise me on what I should do to improve my performance in the coming SAT tests?
Anyway, I am planning to apply to colleges in US for Spring 2009. Even if I am admitted by universities in HK, but to a not quite good program, I will possibly consider giving up the offer or transferring to a US college after the first year. Prior to that, I am going to retake the SAT I in October. My objective is to get 600+ in the verbal and the writing sections, and ideally a 800 in the math section. Could you suggest some methods for improving my SAT score? Also, with fair grades of GCE and that target range of SAT scores, is it possible that I will be accepted by the top 50 colleges in US, either as a freshman or as a transfer student? Please give advice on my plan. Thank you. And sorry for my poor english.
May 24th, 2008 at 12:49 pm
Jackie,
Your SAT math scores are very good. Congratulations. While I think an ePrep study program could help you improve your CR and Writing scores, you should consider spending your time preparing for the TOEFFL. Many international students submit TOEFL scores along with their applications.
I honestly think you will have trouble getting into a highly selective American school with poor grades. That being said, the United States has many colleges and universities (beyond those in the top 50) that offer a first-class educational experience. Please consider such schools as you create a college list. Many of them will be more likely to de-emphisize your poor grades and emphasize your high math SAT scores.
I hope my advice helps. Please do not hesitate to ask follow-up questions.
June 7th, 2008 at 10:51 am
I have completed my first year of post-secondary studies in an
undergraduate program at a Canadian university. My
query is an unusual one - is it possible to re-take the SAT
and apply as a Transfer student to an IVY League university in
the states with the emphasis being on my latest test results,
even if I have taken the SAT previously? If so, which will be
weighted more heavily, my performance on the SAT, my GPA or a
cumulative combination of both? My second query - when the
university reviews a transfer’s application, what heavily
influences the decision of acceptance or rejection, except from
the applicant’s GPA, SAT scores, and extracurricular activities
(sports and club-involvement)? My last question - in addition
to retaking the SAT, are SAT subject tests also recommended?
I would greatly appreciate your advice, much thanks,
Charley
June 7th, 2008 at 10:57 am
In addition to my previously submitted questions above, does it help if one has a legacy at the Ivy League school one is applying to transfer to?
Thanks again,
Charley
June 7th, 2008 at 12:07 pm
Charley,
The only easy question is the last one. Yes, being a legacy definitely helps.
Give me a day or two to get back to you on the other questions. I want to check with Don Betterton and Seamus Malin on those. I will post a reply as soon as I can.
June 8th, 2008 at 4:16 pm
Hi,
Currently I am a freshman going onto sophomore year. As a freshman, I have taken the SAT:subject test for Biology and I think (since I took it in June) I scored a 720-740. I also took the PSAT and I scored a 180. I also have a 4.0 GPA and am taking accelerated and honors classes (though they dont count towards weighing your GPA). If I can maintain all As next year, my GPA would be a weighted 5.0. In addition the amount of AP classes I will take will increase substantially as my years in high school will progress. SO, on average, I will have a GPA of from (4.5-5.0). I will ultimately plan to take 3 Subject tests. I also am active in my school with the extracurriculars. I play football and track. I have been on Mock Trial as a star witness (I am going to be in a leadership position next year), I am president of the Invisible Children club and the Red Cross Club and I’m school treasurer. Moreso, I am enthusiastically engaged with aiding 3rd world countries and recently I have been awarded by the country of Cambodia along with my mentor for the creation of a new school. Im a great writer as well and am in the completing stages of a novel that I am planning to publish. In essence I know I am working hard, but do I stand out? I also, since I am still a freshman, dont know what sort of SAT scores I should aim for or how much community service hours I need. My colleges I plan to attend are UCLA, Berkeley, and Stanford, and Brown University. Do I have a shot at these colleges at the rate I am going? Thanks for taking the time to answer.
June 9th, 2008 at 7:25 am
Huzma,
You absolutely have a shot at those colleges. Keep up the good grades in school and shoot for 2100+ on the SAT. Here are my thoughts regarding your extracurricular activities:
1. If it is possible to get recruited for either football or track, double your training efforts and go for it. Even if it means having to drop a couple of other activities. (I give this advice, by the way, assuming that you really enjoy football and track.)
2. Based on what little I know, the activities that appear unique and interesting are the Invisible Children club, the Red Cross club, and your work in Cambodia. They help you stand out (as does the novel).
3. Mock trial and school treasurer are great experiences and, if you like them, keep doing them. They are not likely to “wow” admission officers, however.
The bottom line, Humza, is that you sound like a very interesting and very energetic person. Keep up the good work and things will work out for you.
Hope to hear from you again soon.
June 9th, 2008 at 9:26 pm
Thanks,
oh and, by the way, I play football and track but I play for fun and I dont think I stand out much in terms of sports at my school, though I play. My follow up question is what do admission officers want to see in terms of community service hours (how much)? I hope Im not being a burden but, what courses/activities do you recommend taking for a student wishing to pursue medical sciences and Pre-med? Lastly, how important is it to utilize the summer for additional supplemental classes?
June 9th, 2008 at 9:52 pm
Humza,
Some students, unfortunately, engage in “resume building” during high school. In other words, they participate in specific extracurricular activities because they think doing so will impress college admission officers. Trust me, people who work in admissions are smart–they can easily sniff out students who are trying to “pad” their applications.
So to answer your question: there is no set (or magic) number of community service hours. If fact, I got into Princeton with zero community service hours. I wasn’t a thoughless teenager; I had to work after school because I felt an obligation to help my parents pay for my schooling.
Follow your passion, Humza, and trust your instincts. You sound like an amazing person with tons of potential. Things will work out just fine.
As far as classes go, take the most rigorous courses you can. High school is a great time to learn as much as you can about various disciplines. Anatomy, human physiology, biology, chemistry, etc. will certainly help prepare your for a major in pre-med, but taking them all is certainly not required.
I hope my rambling helps. Hope to hear from you again soon.
June 10th, 2008 at 7:59 am
Charley,
I checked with Don. Before taking the SAT again, you should check with the schools on your transfer list one-by-one to learn about there transfer policies. At most schools, however, the focus would be on your first-year grades and professor recommendations. In other words, earning good grades this year and obtaining a strong letter of recommendation from one of your current professors will be critical.
If you do retake the SAT, your highest combination will likely be considered. As far as subject tests go, find out if the schools on your list require them of transfer students.
I hope this helps. Don’t hesitate to pose follow-up questions. Good luck.
June 16th, 2008 at 3:59 pm
Hello,
I have just finished my first year at the University of
South Florida. I already know that I want to transfer to Howard
University in Washington DC. I do not think that my SAT scores
are high enough for the school. It requires subject tests and I
did not take any. Am I allowed to take the SAT’s again
even though I am already in college to get a higher grade
and take subject tests to possibly transfer to Howard?
Thank you for your help
June 16th, 2008 at 9:46 pm
Samantha,
Please see my note to Charley above. You should check with Howard to understand how its admission staff evaluates transfer student applications. As Don said when I asked him the question for Charley, many colleges focus more on grades and professor recommendations when in comes to transfer students. I hope this helps. Good luck.
June 22nd, 2008 at 5:05 pm
I have taken the SAT 3 times. My scores have gone up dramatically in all 3 sections since the first time i took them other than CR. If i took the SAT a fourth time and again improved my score do you think it would be shrugged off by admissions oficers as a result of becoming too familiar with thte test? And my other question is what advise do you have for improving my CR score?
Thank you
June 25th, 2008 at 4:32 pm
Danny,
Sorry for the delay. I have been traveling the last few days.
I will post a reply tomorrow morning. Thanks for being patient
with me.
June 25th, 2008 at 7:34 pm
Ok no problem i have been busy with finals anyway.
Thank You for responding though.
June 26th, 2008 at 7:36 am
Hey Karl,
I am a rising senior and have taken the SATs 3 times, my highest score being a 2070 (680 CR, 700 Math, 690 Writing). As with most people here I too hope to attend an Ivy League college for my undergraduate year. My question is more regarding the “new policy” that College Board has enacted with the students being able to choose which scores to send to college come 2009. I was wondering if you can shed some light upon this, and whether, given this new policy, I should take the SATs for a fourth time to help raise my score.
Thanks.
June 26th, 2008 at 8:32 am
Karl,
I would also appreciate if you can give me some info as to how this eprep program may help me, as, by the look of the site, it seems effective.
June 26th, 2008 at 2:51 pm
I just took the SAT in june and scored a 1670. I was wonderind
if i study hard enough, do you think i can reach a 2000?
June 26th, 2008 at 2:51 pm
wondering*
June 26th, 2008 at 5:45 pm
Hey Karl,
I took the SAT twice, my highest being 2100 (720 in math, 680 in critical reading, and 700 in writing. The only extracurricular activity I have is marching band. My GPA is around 4.3 weighted, 3.79 unweighted. I took three SAT Subject Tests.
Chemistry: 710
U.S. History: 710
Math Level 2: 730
Do you think this is enough to get into Columbia University, Washington University in St. Loouis, Brown University, or Stanford University?
June 26th, 2008 at 5:57 pm
I took the SAT in June and compared to the PSAT my percentile scores moved up in critical reading, and moved down in math and writing. I scored a 630 in Critical Reading, a 590 in Math, and a 490 in writing. I am confused by the math score because I will be taking AP Calculus this fall which is the highest level possible, and I have always excelled in math. The writing is a known problem area. What do you suggest for improving the writing score? It does not seem like a skill that lends itself to testing for improvement.
Also, I have no extra curricular activities at school; however I am an Eagle Scout which I enjoy very much. I read your comments about padding activities, however it seems there must be something I can do to enhance this on my record. Do the extra curricular activities have to be tied to the school? Do they care about the Scouts and Eagle rank?
I will be applying to Purdue, Indiana University, and University of Washington, Seattle. Purdue and IU do not seem to have very stringent standards, however I would appreciate any concerns you can point to.
June 26th, 2008 at 5:58 pm
Also I was thinking about a part time job this summer and fall. Is this factored into any assessments?
June 26th, 2008 at 5:58 pm
Sorry but I forgot to include some information. I am Korean and my family is Asian. I took the PSAT and scored around a 2040, with 760 in math being all that I can remember right now. I attend a public high school, and I am in the top 5% of my class, my ranking being around 15. I am going into Senior year this year. I am in three clubs, but I do not really do much in them. I have around 80 hours in community service, which will become at least 100 by the end of the summer. I got a National Merit letter for doing well in the PSAT but I will most likely not be a Finalist, let alone Semifinalist.
June 27th, 2008 at 7:35 am
Danny, Sudhakar, Nicole, John, and David: Individual replies follow.
June 27th, 2008 at 7:48 am
Danny,
Admission staffers will not shrug off any good score. Trust me. They will assume that each high score represents you at your best. Again, I know a girl who took the SATs 7 times before being admitted to Dartmouth College. Her last math score was her best by far.
As far as CR goes, here are my recommendations:
1. Read as much as you can this summer and work on building your vocabulary every day.
2. When it comes to actual test taking, please consider watching the ePrep video linked with the post entitled, “Critical Reading Another Way - Sam’s Story.” (http://blog.eprep.com/2006/08/10/be-willing-to-flip-the-script-sams-story) Also, experiment with Viktor’s technique described below. (Viktor is a student from Hungary.)
“I have developed a revolutionary new technique to crack the CR section. I highly recommend you to try this with international or slow reader students.
I realized that I have no big trouble with the short passages, only with the long ones. Then I can divide the long passage into short ones. I mean I read the first 10-15 lines of a long passage, and then I answer to the questions which are referred to that part, using fresh knowledge. Then I move on to the next 10-15 lines, and find those questions. This prevents the tempting answer choices to confuse me, because I can cross out the answers that are completely alien to that particular 10-15 lines. After this, I have enough knowledge to answer to questions that have no line reference.
Using this technique, my score on my latest SAT CR section was 650. I never did better than 550 before, so it definetaly works for me.”
Good luck, Danny. Please do not hesitate to ask follow up questions.
June 27th, 2008 at 7:55 am
Sudhakar,
The new policy may be too late for you. You will be submitting applications in 2008. Regardless, schools will consider your highest combination.
While I think your scores are awesome, I would like to make a suggestion. Use your free time this summer to read, build your vocabulary, and complete as many math and writing practice tests as you can.
If you can get your CR and writing scores to 700+ and your math into the mid 700s, I think it will make a big difference in the admissions game. You are so close already that I think you owe it to yourself to try. You will never regret any investment you make in your education.
Good luck.
June 27th, 2008 at 8:03 am
Nicole,
No doubt you can do it. I have witnessed bigger jumps than that from the spring to the fall. If you study hard, and effectively, you will surely surprise yourself. Don’t be afraid to go for it. Studying won’t always be fun, but I think the sacrifice will be worth it.
Good luck.
June 27th, 2008 at 8:10 am
John,
Your SAT scores will not keep you out of any of the schools you listed in your first comment. Congratulations! Your scores are really awesome.
In order to increase the likelihood of being admitted by one of those schools, however, you’ll need something in your application that makes you stand out. Unfortunately, neither the marching band nor the number of community service hours is likely to do the trick. I suggest you think long and hard about “why” you’ve done some much community service and about “how” it has changed you. The answers to these questions may reveal something about you that admission officers will value greatly. Good luck and please do not hesitate to post follow-up questions if you have them.
June 27th, 2008 at 8:23 am
David,
With a moderate amount of practice-grade-review, you can easily get your math and writing scores into the 600s. You should try the math and writing sections of ePrep’s free trial. They may offer enough help to boost your scores just enough.
The fact that you are an Eagle Scout is awesome! It demonstrates a level of commitment that colleges value greatly. You might want to write an essay about what you’ve learned from being a Scout over the years.
Employment is always valued by admissions staffers. It demonstrates levels of responsibility and real world experience that are truly valued by people in admissions.
It sounds to me like you live life fully, David. Keep it up and things will work out. Good luck.
June 27th, 2008 at 8:28 am
Danny, Sudhakar, Nicole, John, and David: Individual replies have been posted.
June 27th, 2008 at 3:19 pm
Thanks a lot Karl. Btw, I have purchased your product and I will
use it as much as I can.
June 27th, 2008 at 6:52 pm
Thank You Karl. That reply was very helpful and i will put those trining techniques to use this summer. Victors idea is interesting and it seems like it will work for me because that is where i have my issues. My scores were 650 on math, 620 on writing and 570 on critical reading on my last SAT. Thank You for the advice i think it will serve me well.
June 28th, 2008 at 7:33 am
Nicole,
The students who have completed ePrep courses have experienced huge score increases. The key is obviously working through the course. If you put your mind to it and actually get things done, I’m sure you will feel a whole lot smarter by the time you finish. Please do not hestitate to contact me or ePrep’s customer service with any questions or comments. Good luck!
June 28th, 2008 at 7:38 am
Danny,
Nice job in math and writing. Both scores are solid. Good luck on the CR. A few of the students who I tutor privately have used Victor’s method and it has worked very well for them. I hope you have the same success. Talk to you soon.
July 2nd, 2008 at 2:19 am
Hello,
I’m a junior and I haven’t taken the SAT, when
should I take the SAT and still have the opportunity to retake
it for better scores.
July 2nd, 2008 at 2:45 am
Amanda,
Did you just finish junior year or are you going into junior year? Please let me know.
July 2nd, 2008 at 4:39 pm
Sorry, I’m going into junior year.
July 3rd, 2008 at 8:12 am
Amanda,
If you take the first SAT in the spring of 2009, you will have six dates (over a ten month period) to retake the SAT. In other words, you have plenty of time and opportunity in front of you. Just read a lot this summer and continue to work diligently when school starts again in September. Junior year is an important one.
July 5th, 2008 at 8:05 am
hello
i am a high school senior from india.
im wanting to get into a course relating to business,marketing and entrepreneurship.
i didnt do to well on my sat1(1930-cr570,writing600,math760)
im really good at math and have aced the math 1c and 2c.
however,i still have to give biology this october or november.
im looking at cmu,john hopkins,kellog,nyu and emory.
i am ranked no 3 in my batch and ranked no 1 in accounts.
i am member of my schools football team and part of 5 of my schools clubs( editorial board, interactclub utc)
i have done 100 hours of social work and also play the drums.
however i really need your advise on how i should go about things as i am very concerned if i will get into the college of my choice.
Thanking you
nakul
July 6th, 2008 at 1:47 pm
Nakul,
Don’t give up on the CR and writing. I think with some practice, you can increase those scores significantly.
As far as extracurricular activities go, I think you should focus on one or two activities that you really enjoy. If you try to do too many, you will only spread yourself too thin.
The schools on your college list are very good ones, by the way. Good luck.
July 6th, 2008 at 7:40 pm
Hi, I am a hispanic student who moved from guatemala when I was 10 years old knowing no english at all. I am now going to be a senior who hope to get into a few Ivy league schools (all actually except Dartmout and Cornell). I took the SAT test in May of my junior year and got CR-670 Math-550 (kind of bad I know) and Writing-720. I am involved in NHS, Student Council, Renaissance (a Jostens’ sponsored club), Interact (Rotary sponsored), plus a lot of community service hours and an after school job. This fall is my last chance to really showcase my abilities and strengths. I have a 4.0 unweighted, 4.7 weighted, all honors and a.p. classes (my school offers very few a.p. courses but I will take all of the ones available). Also, I need help deciding which subject tests to take. Would it look bad to take the spanish subject test because I’m fluent in spanish? What advice could you give me on improving my chances for such top tier schools?
Thank you so much and I appreciate any advice you can give me.
July 6th, 2008 at 10:39 pm
Hi, Karl.
First off, I admire your determination to answer everyone’s questions about college admissions. I’ve been looking around for simple advice from experienced and knowledgeable people, but they usually charge ridiculous amounts of money.
Anyways, I’m going to be a senior for the 2008-2009 school year, and being the procrastinator that I am, I am trying to take as many SAT I/II tests as I can. The Oct. 4th test will be my first. But since I’m trying to cram 3 tests