Free College Counseling: Test Scores

Jacky,

To be admitted to a college or university in the United States, you first have to take the SATs, or the ACTs. The SATs, I?m sure you are aware of, is an aptitude test split into three sections, each section being worth 800 points, with a total possible score of 2400.
There are no guidelines for SAT scores for foreign students, but you?ll want to do as well as you can on either the SATs or ACTs. The average score for the SATs is about 1500, and the average score for the ACTs is about 21 composite.

Usually colleges accept either test for admission, but the SATs have been more common in the past. Another test you will need to take for admission to most United States schools is the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language).

The test measures the ability of nonnative speakers of English to use and understand English as it is spoken, written, and heard in college and university settings. The test is offered in different formats depending on your location.

I hope this helps?
Julia Y.
The College Prowler Counselor

Hi Atilio,

You are definitely right on when it comes to thinking about colleges. You aren?t too early! Colleges and universities will look at your transcripts and extra curricular activities starting your freshman year, so the more you do that means something to you the better off you will be!

For your test scores I agree with whoever told you not to worry about your ACT score. You haven?t even taken the test yet?so how could you know what kind of score you?re going to have... I would suggest taking other tests, though. There is the SAT as well as testing for kids who speak English as a second language, and if you are interested about getting information on those tests ask you school?s college counselor about them.

As for community service and the enrichment classes, both can most definitely be a yes, but you want to be involved because you feel that these causes and classes are helping you learn and not just because you feel that a certain type of activity should be on your résumé. It really is great that you?re taking enrichment classes, and you most definitely want to check with prospective colleges about what they say for accepting those transcripts.

When it comes to scholarships you want to talk to you college guidance counselor. S/he will have more connections and know much more about this then we would be able to tell you.

As for selective summer programs, it depends on what you area you are interested in and how far you want to travel/ how much money you want to spend.

Most colleges and universities offer programs during the summer. If you?re looking for academic schools that have good programs it would depend on what you would like to take classes on. There are great schools of journalism, finance, etc. but you have to know what you want to get to the right one. You should also take a look at the academic section on the college prowler website to see what the top academically rated schools are this year. You can also look up on any colleges or universities website what they offer during the summer.

Best of luck on your college search and hope this helped a little bit,

Madison B.
College Prowler Counselor

Yes, you may certainly take two SAT II subject tests in one day. Don't let them wear you out!

Allison G.
College Prowler Counselor

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Victoria,

This depends upon what sort of college you want to attend. The least selective colleges only require a G.P.A. of about 2.6. Usually their admission is rolling, and average SAT scores are under 1000. The more selective a college is, the higher they require a student?s G.P.A. to be. The most selective colleges expect a G.P.A. of 3.7 or higher.

Allison G.
College Prowler Counselor

Kowayla,

Chances are, if you did not prepare and that was the first time you took the ACT, you should score better if you take it again. The next time you take it, you will know what sorts of questions to expect, you will be able to better allot your time, etc. Also, if you study, you should be able to improve your score, as well. However, none of these are guarantees. Some people?s scores actually go down if they take standardized tests multiple times.

Nevertheless, whether you use that score or take the test again, you will still be able to ?get into college.? The question becomes: ?What college??

Without knowing what sort of college or degree you might be interested in pursuing, here are some schools in your home state that you may want to investigate: Alabama State University, Stillman College, Jacksonville State University, and Auburn University, Montgomery.

Best of luck on your college search.

Allison G.
College Prowler Counselor

Elizabeth,

I would recommend looking at many of the answers under the What are my chances? category of counseling questions on this website. Many of the schools you indicated are discussed in questions and answers under that topic, including their GPA and SAT statistics. However, I think Julia Y.?s statement in her first answer summed it up best: ?It?s more of your personal success as a student and your achievements on an individual basis in school as well as in your community that determine your acceptance.? Therefore, it?s not so much what you do as how you do it. Show passion! If you take more of a leadership role in one group, it may show that you feel more strongly about that particular activity than if you were to take a lesser role in a many different organizations.

As for scores, you can always assume: the higher, the better. For specific averages from specific schools, look at other answers on the site. So many students ask about Ivy League schools that it would be redundant for me to list them again here.

Allison G.
College Prowler Counselor

Hi Christa,

Georgia Technical Institute of Technology accepts both the SAT I test and the ACT test. So, there wouldn?t be any harm in taking both sets of tests and sending the better score to them. The average score on the incoming freshman class on the SAT I test was about 1250 (meaning half of the students had scores higher than this one and half of them had scores lower.) the average ACT composite score was a 26, which is pretty comparable with the 1250 on the SAT.

Georgia Tech accepts the Common Application and they do not have Early Decision or Early Action. They also do not require SAT II?s.

Check out our Georgia Tech guidebook to find the inside scoop about the dorms and where to eat.

Best of luck,

Madison B.
College Prowler Counselor

Nida,

It?s definitely a good idea to take the SAT again. Sometimes, schools will combine the best individual subject scores from each time you take the test, so even if only one of your scores (Math, Verbal, etc.) goes up, you still may benefit.

Another option you might consider would be to take the ACT. Some students find this test easier, although most students score nearly the same on both standardized tests. It does have some slight differences from the SAT, though, so you may want to take a look at it.

Definitely study ahead of time. You could buy a book?many are written to help coach students for these very tests. If you don?t want to spend the money, you could consider checking one out of the library. On the other hand, if money is not an obstacle, you could sign up for classes. In studying to take the tests, you will want to become more familiar with the test format, the types of questions that you will see, time management, how the test is scored (being penalized for wrong answers in certain portions, for example), and, most obviously, material that is likely to appear on the test.

As for your college prospects, you are not necessarily doomed for community college! (And even if you do attend community college, if you excel there, you can always transfer to a four-year school after you earn your associate?s degree.) Some colleges do not even require the SAT for admission. Two NY schools like this include Mercy College and Boricua College.

Keep working hard.

Joey Rahimi
College Prowler Counselor

Sahir,

I looked to see what has been said about the new SAT, and the consensus seems to be that the new SAT Writing section simply has not been around long enough for colleges (and, thus, particularly Ivy Leagues) to consider it a reliable measure of students? ability. Therefore, they are treating more like an addition to the original Math and Verbal sections, as they would an SAT II score. Therefore, while your score is certainly respectable, you won?t wow any Ivy admissions officers unless you have a killer GPA, strong extracurricular activities, a well-written essay, and respectable recommendations to back it up.

Joey Rahimi
College Prowler Counselor

Matthew,

Yes, to be accepted to University of MI, you need a higher ACT score. The average range at Ann Arbor is 26-30. Perhaps try taking the test again. Oftentimes, people will score better the second time around because they are more comfortable with the test format, the types of questions that are asked, etc.

Have you tried taking the SAT? The average at Ann Arbor is 1210-1400, and you may find the test easier than the ACT. Some students find one test easier than the other. While they are very similar, they have slight differences, including the fact that the SAT does not have a science section. Plus, you seem to have done better on the math portion of the ACT, so this may show more strongly on the SAT, where math counts for half of the test (or, using the new scoring system, one third of the test).

Other than that, there is not much else you can do other than keep your GPA up. Make sure you look for a few other schools that you will find satisfactory in case Michigan does not work out.

Good luck.

Allison G.
College Prowler Counselor

Hi Jeremy,

You have most definitely achieved a lot during your High School career, and you should be very proud of all that you?ve accomplished. Your standardized testing must be a little bit of a drag, and I know that the test is hard. I would most definitely bring it up to an Admission?s Counselor at Michigan when you go up for a visit, and if you don?t have the chance to see the campus, I would most definitely e-mail or call to ask about their standardized testing policy and what makes up for not such great scores. You want to explain your situation to them so that they?ll know you a little bit more when they receive your application. You aren?t the only one who has ever had some trouble with the SAT, and I?m sure they will take into consideration that you really want to be at their school and that you are a great student.

Best of luck,

Joey Rahimi

College Prowler Counselor