low SAT math scores and college chances -- Virtually Advising Q+A

The Q: If your SAT math scores were poor, but your verbal and writing scores were above average, would a college that understood you were majoring in journalism reject you on the basis of your poor math scores?

The A: First, let me congratulate you on getting through the SAT. Half the battle is over. Now, it is up to the schools you've applied to decide your acceptance.

To address your question: “Would a college that understood you were majoring in journalism reject you on the basis of your poor math scores?” As important and influential a role the SAT plays in predicting your performance in college, it's only one of several determining factors colleges use during the selection process. Many colleges will look past your SAT scores and evaluate you also on the basis of your high-school record and performance (course curriculum, honors classes, etc.), class rank, recommendations, extracurriculars and your admissions essay.

That said, the reality is that many selective colleges -- especially the larger schools, where admissions officials may have thousands of applications to review in a short period of time -- will often not look past your SAT scores. The less time they need to spend reviewing your application, after all, the more time they can spend sifting through the thousands left to look at. Other private, smaller schools, however, may pass your application through several admissions officers for a more in-depth review before making a decision. Keep in mind that every college is different; you may want to call the admissions offices at the colleges you're applying to for more information on how the process works at each.

In general, though, colleges place a greater emphasis on your verbal SAT score than on your math. Of course you want both scores to be high -- who wouldn't? -- and comparatively identical. You may not have that, but In your favor is your “above average” verbal score that, along with your desire to major in journalism, most colleges will hopefully glean from your application. If your high-school record is above average compared to other applicants at that school, and if the rest of your college applications are strong, then your SAT scores will be just a fraction of what many colleges will assess in determining whether to admit you.

Be optimistic about your scores and applications. Good luck!

—John Acquaviva, Guest Advisor (general)