Act Or Sat For College Admission?
December 21, 2009 by Rob
Filed under College Admissions
I am looking at some very prestigious colleges, some of which are ivy league, and I was wondering if they admissions officials usually prefer the SAT or the ACT.
I guess I’m asking which test do they find more important and will give me a better chance of being accepted.
Thanks!
It depends what the school wants. Most schools will look at the SAT, but some will only consider the ACT, or either.
The most selective schools will want the SAT and two SAT subject tests.
But remember that the SATs are only one part of the equation.
- HS GPA (and courses selected)
- SAT and SAT subject tests
- Extra curricular activities (show leadership)
- Personal Essay
Most likely you are going to apply to other schools that will require the SAT and SAT subject tests. If you’re going science/engineering – look at the Math Level 2 and Chemistry subject tests. They are worth 800 points max. If you get anything less than 700, it’s pretty much worthless. There is a Math Level 1, it’s easier, but the curve is much higher on the Level 2 and you’ll more likely get a higher score on the Level 2, so I highly recommend you take the Level 2 if you’re going to take the Math subject test.
Colleges are looking for focus. For example, MIT will want to see high scores on math and physics tests, but maybe not care as much about history. You’ll also have to back these high scores up with a well focused high school transcript that shows courses closely related to your interests.
Admissions officers can spot students who try to cover everything and do everything. Colleges want students who will be a good fit and who will excel in their field of choice. Even if you get perfect scores and straight A’s, if your subjects are all over the place, it will not have the same impact as if you focused your course selections, extra curricular activities, and subject tests.
Show leadership in your extra curricular activities. Be the president of the student government, team captain of the math team, or show a successful project that had a great impact on the school or community.
Try to get letters of recommendation from teachers or community leaders. Volunteer work, part time jobs, or maybe you started a small business that had some success. Do everything you can to show that your are more than just a good test taker.
For high school gpa, you need to be closer to 4.0. Particularly Physics, Chemistry and Calculus for techie schools. For liberal art schools, take languages and history. So make sure your course selection includes a good dose of AP courses – at least 3, but 5 is best in your senior year.
Your extra curricular activities and personal essay need to look good too. Don’t just be in the student government, be the President. Don’t just be on the math team, be the team captain!
When you write your essay, make sure you have a real compelling story. Don’t write about childhood dreams or some other worn out subject. Write about how you dealt with and overcame with great success some problem in your life.
If your academics are not up to par, believe it or not, an exceptional essay may save you. Also start working on getting letters of recommendation from your teachers and/or leaders in your community.
Hope that helps.
-Rob
Often SAT, but most people take both (ACT if less math is what you’re looking for). Do more research though, cause SAT’s are going by the wayside. many colleges don’t look at them anymore, or at least not much. the saying goes “4 years of highschool are more important than those 4 hours of the test”
SAT and ACT scores do not determine college admission. That’s the word from Marlyn McGrath Lewis, director of admissions for Harvard College in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Your best bet is to look at each college and see what they require or prefer. I think that the SAT will come out as the leader but that might not be pertinent for you./
take both test, most prefer the SAT though.