Colleges weigh school, SAT scores differently

Q: I have a high school age daughter, and I was wondering what is the best predictor of college success - high school grades or the SAT? A: A recent study released by The College Board, the company that ...

[Eva Holtz]

Thanks for bringing up the schools that don't require SAT/ACT scores. Families can see a list of those schools here: http://fairtest.org/univ/optional.htm

- Eva
http://www.College-Admissions-Secrets.com

[Recent Grad]

SAT scores are not weighed that heavily unless the student is neck to neck with another student. A GREAT SAT score will help, a decent/average won't have any effect. Your child should focus on extra curriculars and their classes. They should try to challenge themselves in their LOCAL CONTEXT. The UC system will guarantee admission to the top 4 percent of high school classes based on their Eligibility by a Local Context (ELC). This is not to say your child must me the best of the best, but rather that colleges look at the school as a while and check to see if your child is pushing themselves. Also, try the ACT, I did poorly on the SAT and really excelled on the ACT. It is just a different kind of test, plus there is five extra minutes for the essay (!). Preparing for the SAT should be done but parents should not force feed their children SAT prep courses and books. It’s not THAT important.
Become active.
Push yourself academically,
Take the Initiative (do something different and new)
Be a Leader
Give back
Stay active and passionate (doing something for a long time shows commitment and determination, rather then doing several things which may show that you can not commit to something and really dig deep into it.)