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SAT Scores - Other Factors that Colleges and Universities Co
USINFO | 2014-01-02 14:20
The SAT can be an extremely important exam for any individual who seeks admission to a college or university within the United States. Most U.S. colleges and universities require individuals applying to an undergraduate program to submit SAT scores, though some colleges prefer the ACT. However, it is important to realize that the SAT, or other exams required in lieu of the SAT, are not the only factors that the admissions board for a particular college or university will consider.
Instead, most schools take a series of factors into consideration. In fact, an applicant's high school G.P.A. (grade point average) is often considered equally as important as an individual's SAT scores in the undergraduate college admissions process. The individual's high school transcript reflects not only the level of student success with regard to the grades received, but it also provides the college admission staff with important information regarding the level of difficulty of the academic work the student pursued in high school. The report of the student's G.P.A. also tells the college admissions staff how the student's high school coursework relates to the major that the individual intends to pursue in college.
Also of importance on the student's high school grade report are the individual's extracurricular school or civil activities, which indicate initiative, interests, or exceptional skills that a college admissions board may consider important. Additionally, the admissions boards for some colleges may attach value to letters of recommendation from distinguished past graduates of the college. Where a person lives is also significant. The college may have to meet out-of-state and in-state residence regulatory requirements, and this often enters into the admissions process.
Some colleges require a student to write an essay explaining why they should be accepted into a particular college's academic program and how that particular college fits with the student's future career plans. Some colleges even require personal interviews, and these can influences admission. The student's ability to engage, persuade, or converse with the admissions staff tells the interviewer a great deal about the student's chances of success in the new college environment.
The specific factors that a school will consider in their admissions process varies from school to school. It is important to research the admission criteria of the school or schools you're applying for; doing so will always provide an advantage in admission standing. The different emphasis that each school puts upon various factors creates an opportunity for a student in the search for the right college.
Since colleges look at a variety of factors when considering admitting a student, it may be possible for an individual with an average SAT score to gain entrance to a prestigious college or university. Or perhaps a strong participation in student government or summer clerical work in a law firm will compensate for a weak high school G.P.A. In other words, it is essential to realize that your SAT scores are important for gaining admission to a college or university, but it is not the only criterion. And likewise, a stellar performance on the SAT does not necessarily guarantee that an individual will be accepted into a specific academic college program.
Instead, most schools take a series of factors into consideration. In fact, an applicant's high school G.P.A. (grade point average) is often considered equally as important as an individual's SAT scores in the undergraduate college admissions process. The individual's high school transcript reflects not only the level of student success with regard to the grades received, but it also provides the college admission staff with important information regarding the level of difficulty of the academic work the student pursued in high school. The report of the student's G.P.A. also tells the college admissions staff how the student's high school coursework relates to the major that the individual intends to pursue in college.
Also of importance on the student's high school grade report are the individual's extracurricular school or civil activities, which indicate initiative, interests, or exceptional skills that a college admissions board may consider important. Additionally, the admissions boards for some colleges may attach value to letters of recommendation from distinguished past graduates of the college. Where a person lives is also significant. The college may have to meet out-of-state and in-state residence regulatory requirements, and this often enters into the admissions process.
Some colleges require a student to write an essay explaining why they should be accepted into a particular college's academic program and how that particular college fits with the student's future career plans. Some colleges even require personal interviews, and these can influences admission. The student's ability to engage, persuade, or converse with the admissions staff tells the interviewer a great deal about the student's chances of success in the new college environment.
The specific factors that a school will consider in their admissions process varies from school to school. It is important to research the admission criteria of the school or schools you're applying for; doing so will always provide an advantage in admission standing. The different emphasis that each school puts upon various factors creates an opportunity for a student in the search for the right college.
Since colleges look at a variety of factors when considering admitting a student, it may be possible for an individual with an average SAT score to gain entrance to a prestigious college or university. Or perhaps a strong participation in student government or summer clerical work in a law firm will compensate for a weak high school G.P.A. In other words, it is essential to realize that your SAT scores are important for gaining admission to a college or university, but it is not the only criterion. And likewise, a stellar performance on the SAT does not necessarily guarantee that an individual will be accepted into a specific academic college program.
