Are my SATs good enough for a UC?

Question

I just got my SAT scores back yesterday and I am a bit worried that now I can't go a UC school like Irvine or San Diego.

I got

600: Math

590: Verbal

and the thing that really brought me down

470: Writing

So I have a 1660 Total.

My highschool cumulative GPA is a

3.58

I still have to take the SAT 2s but now I just might go to a Junior

College instead and transfer later. But do I still have a shot at going to a good UC school?

I used a Princeton Guide thing for the SAT last time, are there some better ones out there? Also, I just get really nervous when I take the test, I swear I couldn't even grip the pencil half the time because I was sweating so much

Answer 1

I'm right with ya, I was nervous too.

I would take the SATs again.

I understand that your senior year will be very hectic, but truts me it's all worth it in the end.

If it doesn't work out; however, at least you'll know you truly did everything you could. As for your writing score, I think you could improve that. Writing, is the easiest section to improve on. All you need to do is solve tons of problems and MEMORIZE the grammar rules. I got a similar score to that of yours when I took my first PRACTICE SAT test (oops sorry caps), but then on the real one with loads of practice i achieve a score of a 770! I studied like crazy for writing!

btw u hav a shot at the UCs u mentioned with your current SAT scores, esp if your in-state. first off, there in the middle range of the UCs, although SD is a bit higher, and you totally have a shot. BUt please do increase that W score!

Answer 2

Your score of 1660 is better than average. The average on the SAT exam is 1500. Thus, you were 160 pts above average. Although your score was above average, it is not a great score. If you are planning on getting into the more competitive UC schools such as Berkeley and UCLA, you mus get a higher score. I highly recommend using Tutorfox. Tutorfox.com sells its guide for only 10 dollars, and it written by two students who scored a 2400 and a 2350 on the exam. Let me know if you need any more help and/or info. With a bit more studying your score will sky rocket...so get to it.

I think you have a decent shot at getting into those schools, but you should study to ensure that you get in...

The guide can be found @

http://www.tutorfox.com/satguide.html

Regards,

Ben

Answer 3

ull probably get into UC riverside and merced VERY EASILY BASED on ur gpa & SAT

davis and santacruz ehhhh maybe but ur gpa might help there

but good luck though

Answer 4

Your math and verbal scores are below the middle 50% of the freshman admitted.  You must have something huge to overcome that like GPA (also too low) or amazing sports and extra curriculars.  Your writing score didn't hurt you because colleges don't use that (yet?).

1660 is a good score, so don't be discuraged... Irvine is just a tougher school to get into.

Call a princeton review office near you and talk to them personally about your scores and chances for admissions.

Answer 5

keep in mind that while grades and SAT scores a big component of the acceptance process, there are other factors to consider (personal essays, extracurriculars, jobs, sports, etc).  and colleges are now starting to realize that SAT scores aren't a great predictor of college grades.  some students are just bad test takers (you sound like one) and some go to cram school for years so they know all the inside "tricks" of the SAT.  there are plenty of people who don't have spectacular grades and get into the top UCs (LA and Berkeley).  

if you want an idea, i got into Davis (didn't apply to Irvine) and San Diego (rejected by LA and Berkeley) with: SAT - 2000 (math: 770, writing: 630, verbal: 600), GPA 4.28ish, some speech contests and robotics contests awards, some community service (like 100 hours), no job, no sports.