What plays a bigger role in college admissions?

Question

The SAT/ACT or the essay?

Answer 1

It depends on the college. Really.

But here's the rule of thumb:

Top tier colleges expect a very high SAT/ACT score, and then choose from the pool of candidates that score in the range that is the norm for that school. (The more selective the school, the higher the SAT expectation. For Ivies, the expectation is perfect or near-perfect scores.)

However, some top-tier liberal arts schools offer the option of including no SAT/ACT score at all. Those schools focus on a combination of class rank, GPA, essay, etc.

Answer 2

Do you mean the essay within the standardized tests or the essay that accompanies your application? I'm going to assume you meant the latter and answer your question.

Anyway, I know that most smaller school rely more in the essay to find out if you'll really fit at their school. I attend a great liberal arts school (and work and the admissions office) and I notice that they really take time to read and comment on each essay that comes in, while SAT scores--while they are important to them--just stay filed away on a shelf somewhere.

So I would say that while having great test scores are great, showing the admissions office what makes you YOU is even better. Besides if everyone who applies have the same score range, how else can they choose who gets accepted, by an applicant's toenail polish color? ;)

Answer 3

Your overall SAT/ACT score is much more important. The essay was not even part of the test until a few years ago.

However, if you do well on the ACT (for example) and get a 30, but you tank the essay, I doubt it would look good, either.

Answer 4

Your SAT’s cost relies upon on what type of faculty you’re using to. I’m guessing you mean SUNY-Binghamton. The SUNY colleges will use the SAT more advantageous than a smaller college like a liberal arts college because they ought to go with the help of a lot extra applications. because you’re somewhat yet less than the known, don’t challenge. merely make effective you emphasize activities or grades on your software. also, pay attention of the type of important or college you’re using to. in case you want to get into the engineering college, then you surely’re SAT can’t be widely used. It’s extra aggressive. practice to the liberal arts college so that you've a extra effective danger.

Answer 5

It probably depends on how old you are. If you are in high school, I would say the exam score. If you are an adult and have work experience or have obtained college credits, I would guess the essay would matter more.