Monday, July 31, 2006
What To Do About Low SAT scores?
Dear Guidance Guy,
I am a straight A student with a GPA of 95.67 and ranked 23 out of 56 students in high school. I am taking all of the higher level classes, including AP, Gifted, and one or two honors classes. I have many extracurricular activities such as Beta Club, Literary Magazine, and Save SADD. Sounds like I have everything perfectly set for college, right?
Wrong.
My problem is that my SAT scores are shockingly low compared to my other acheivements, and by low I mean not quite breaking 1100 on the old scale. I've tried to do SAT prep books and such, but they aren't really helping me. I think it has to do with the timed factor to the test. I just get really stressed out. I don't know what to do, and I constantly think that I will not be accepted to a nice college in state school because of my SAT scores. Now I have heard that colleges don't base their admissions solely by standardized testing scores, but I feel like it will damage my chances in getting in greatly.
As a rising senior, it is kind of late to improve my scores, since deadlines for applications are in a few months. What should I do? I constantly think that I will not get in and it's eating me away to nothingness. I've been trying to do the ACT instead, but it's not going that great. What advice can you give me?
Seeing isn't believing, believing is seeing.
Jenn
*** *** ***
Dear Jenn,
You have four more chances to take the SAT for the 06-07 admissions cycle. But the truth is your scores aren't likely to improve very much if you have already taken it three or more times. So your scores might go up some, but I wouldn't rely on it.
There are three answers to your question. First, keep working with the ACT. I'm not sure what you mean by "trying to do it" but once you get the results you might find an improvement.
Second, assuming the scores don't go up, the best way to deal with it is to take it head-on. A strong essay explaining how your SAT scores aren't a reflection of you as a student and person can do a world of good. They can help the admissions committee understand what your dreams and goals are, and how you can contribute to their college.
And that's the third answer: get crystal clear on WHY you want to go to college and what a great future looks like for you (hint: a good college will help me have a good career isn't enough). I think you're nervous because you think the selectivity of the college is a big factor in deciding what kind of career you'll have. My book, THE GUIDANCE GUY'S SO, YOU WANNA GO TO COLLEGE... covers this topic and a few more you'll find useful.
I like the way you signed your letter. Believing is seeing, not the other way around. Start believing you are more than just the scores on your SAT, and your GPA, etc. You'll start to see a big world that needs good people like you, no matter what college they attend.
All The Best,
The Guidance Guy
I am a straight A student with a GPA of 95.67 and ranked 23 out of 56 students in high school. I am taking all of the higher level classes, including AP, Gifted, and one or two honors classes. I have many extracurricular activities such as Beta Club, Literary Magazine, and Save SADD. Sounds like I have everything perfectly set for college, right?
Wrong.
My problem is that my SAT scores are shockingly low compared to my other acheivements, and by low I mean not quite breaking 1100 on the old scale. I've tried to do SAT prep books and such, but they aren't really helping me. I think it has to do with the timed factor to the test. I just get really stressed out. I don't know what to do, and I constantly think that I will not be accepted to a nice college in state school because of my SAT scores. Now I have heard that colleges don't base their admissions solely by standardized testing scores, but I feel like it will damage my chances in getting in greatly.
As a rising senior, it is kind of late to improve my scores, since deadlines for applications are in a few months. What should I do? I constantly think that I will not get in and it's eating me away to nothingness. I've been trying to do the ACT instead, but it's not going that great. What advice can you give me?
Seeing isn't believing, believing is seeing.
Jenn
*** *** ***
Dear Jenn,
You have four more chances to take the SAT for the 06-07 admissions cycle. But the truth is your scores aren't likely to improve very much if you have already taken it three or more times. So your scores might go up some, but I wouldn't rely on it.
There are three answers to your question. First, keep working with the ACT. I'm not sure what you mean by "trying to do it" but once you get the results you might find an improvement.
Second, assuming the scores don't go up, the best way to deal with it is to take it head-on. A strong essay explaining how your SAT scores aren't a reflection of you as a student and person can do a world of good. They can help the admissions committee understand what your dreams and goals are, and how you can contribute to their college.
And that's the third answer: get crystal clear on WHY you want to go to college and what a great future looks like for you (hint: a good college will help me have a good career isn't enough). I think you're nervous because you think the selectivity of the college is a big factor in deciding what kind of career you'll have. My book, THE GUIDANCE GUY'S SO, YOU WANNA GO TO COLLEGE... covers this topic and a few more you'll find useful.
I like the way you signed your letter. Believing is seeing, not the other way around. Start believing you are more than just the scores on your SAT, and your GPA, etc. You'll start to see a big world that needs good people like you, no matter what college they attend.
All The Best,
The Guidance Guy
