Why do schools ask for SAT scores?

[skijumpbump]

So far I have been asked on the Jefferson Medical College and USUHS secondary applications for my SAT scores. Does anyone know how the schools use these scores in the admissions process? These tests were so long ago that I don't remember my actual score and now I have to track them down from my high school guidance office. Will an average SAT score hurt my application? I am just wondering how they use a test taken 6 or more years ago as a gauge of your ability.

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[cargirl110]

Jefferson's website said they use SAT scores for statistical purposes concerning standardized testing. So I don't think they use them in the admissions process, but you never know...

 

[dog0]

So interviewers at the University of Florida can ask why I only scored a 1290 on them 🙂

 

[engineeredout]

I met this mcat tutor who asked me what my SAT score was and I told him 1350. He asked where I'm looking to go and I said I wasn't sure, maybe NYCOM or PCOM. He then says to me that with a 1350 on my SAT I should not be thinking DO but MD.

I don't quite see the corellation though.

 

[ChubbyChaser]

I met this mcat tutor who asked me what my SAT score was and I told him 1350. He asked where I'm looking to go and I said I wasn't sure, maybe NYCOM or PCOM. He then says to me that with a 1350 on my SAT I should not be thinking DO but MD.

I don't quite see the corellation though.

hopefully this was on the old one....lol

 

[Bacchus]

I'm pretty confident they're for statistical purposes only. There is a general trend that correlates SAT to MCAT for some people. This is a very loose trend but a lower score on the SATs may indicate a lower MCAT because of standardized testing habits. Of course, there are many anomalies.

 

[Lukkie]

I'm pretty confident they're for statistical purposes only. There is a general trend that correlates SAT to MCAT for some people. This is a very loose trend but a lower score on the SATs may indicate a lower MCAT because of standardized testing habits. Of course, there are many anomalies.

thats very interesting. i am curious as to whether any statistics on this have been released. im hoping i can get a 45 MCAT.

 

[SirGecko]

im hoping i can get a 45 MCAT.

You and everyone else on these boards.

 

[harposnarpo]

So interviewers at the University of Florida can ask why I only scored a 1290 on them 🙂

is a 1290 a bad score? I got something around that.

 

[ChubbyChaser]

is a 1290 a bad score? I got something around that.

If you didnt score over 1550, then everyone on SDN shuns you.

 

[Bacchus]

There was a time ago that SATs and MCAT scores were listed in a thread. The spread was extremely varied and favored high MCAT scores. It wasn't very predicting.

 

[ChubbyChaser]

There was a time ago that SATs and MCAT scores were listed in a thread. The spread was extremely varied and favored high MCAT scores. It wasn't very predicting.

is it bad if I made a 800 on my SAT?

 

[cyclophane21]

You and everyone else on these boards.

Not me. That'd make life/admissions process all too simple...and heaven knows that nothing can be simple and carefree for me!

 

[Phillykid162]

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[igotshoe]

So far I have been asked on the JeffersonMedicalCollege and USUHS secondary applications for my SAT scores. Does anyone know how the schools use these scores in the admissions process? These tests were so long ago that I don't remember my actual score and now I have to track them down from my high school guidance office. Will an average SAT score hurt my application? I am just wondering how they use a test taken 6 or more years ago as a gauge of your ability.

Its a measure of scholastic aptitude, and I would believe a strong score would help, but not vice versa. I believe this because GPA and MCAT are better metrics to show your ability to handle med school. I know in investment banking they ask for SAT scores in a similar fashion. All it is, is another gauge for mental horsepower.

 

[LizzyM]

My school doesn't ask for SAT but I wonder if it might not be used to find those people who did not do as well in college (looking at gpa plus extracurriculars) as might be predicted by the SAT. This might indicate a poor work ethic or another "problem". On the flip side, consider a low SAT, lower tier school, and high gpa . Couple that with a low MCAT (despite the good gpa) and you have either a poor test taker or a school with grade inflation. There are all sorts of other combinations I can think of too.

Your SAT is what it is and you can't change it so don't sweat it.

 

[Lokhtar]

My SAT's sucked, I'd be embarrassed to reveal them - I hope not many ask. I'm already doing much much better on the MCAT practice tests than I ever did on the SAT. I went into the SAT cold, without even really knowing what it was on and being an idiot teenager, I completely bombed it. Ah well, I thought the days of it coming back to bite me were over. I did take the GRE's and did much better on them, so I hope they look at that instead.

 

[Dalki2007]

According to VCU-MCV,
they want to know becuase it shows them your test taking ability in a standarized setting...so if you did so-so on the SATs, and again not so great on MCAT, it kinda "explains" your test-taking skills.
🙂

 

[SageFrancis]

Are scores of 1290 on the old SAT that embarrassing? Isn't that like the 80 something percentile? Isn't a 30 MCAT around the 80th percentile?

I know it's probably comparing apples to oranges based on the population of test takers, but I didn't think it was terrible.

 

[Dedikated2liftn]

According to VCU-MCV,
they want to know becuase it shows them your test taking ability in a standarized setting...so if you did so-so on the SATs, and again not so great on MCAT, it kinda "explains" your test-taking skills.
🙂

I don't necessarily agree with this. Assuming one has a high undergrad GPA, he/she has proven himself many of times when it comes to taking tests. Afterall, you don't get a 4.0 (or anything in that neighborhood) w/o rocking a few exams.

 

[requeim]

i wonder sometimes what i would get on the sat if i took it now....

 

[pazan]

Schools make a significant investment of time and money into medical students, so it makes sense they would want as much information as possible when determining who to accept. My guess they use the scores for all the reasons mentioned: check possible work ethic problems, determine your ability in standardized testing, learn more about previous academic achievement, etc. I don't think it's a great idea... a lot changes in college and the SAT is a much different test that the MCAT and USMLE. But, who knows? The Ad Com members know what they're doing more than we do.

 

[link2swim06]

What happens if you only took the ACT? Can you not apply to those schools?

 

[richse]

The secondaries that I have received so far make including SAT scores seem optional. It's been a really long time since I took them and I'd rather not go about getting them unless it's really necessary. My MCAT is above average, does anyone think leaving the SAT out will hurt my app? Thanks.

 

[p30doc]

Are scores of 1290 on the old SAT that embarrassing? Isn't that like the 80 something percentile? Isn't a 30 MCAT around the 80th percentile?

I know it's probably comparing apples to oranges based on the population of test takers, but I didn't think it was terrible.

I would strongly disagree that a 1290 on the old SAT is embarrassing, I know many people who scored lower than that and who went to "Top 20" schools.

 

[Raryn]

What happens if you only took the ACT? Can you not apply to those schools?

WashU asks for both SAT and ACT scores. Annoyed me because I remembered my SAT score and my composite ACT score, but had no idea what my individual section scores were on the ACT. I had to go find the paper from four years ago, since the ACT doesn't let us access old scores online.

 

[parto123]

Your SAT is what it is and you can't change it so don't sweat it.

would you say the same thing about GPA and MCAT?

 

[EpiPEN]

would you say the same thing about GPA and MCAT?

well technically you can always re-take the MCAT or take additional classes to boost your GPA if you are still in college...

 

[parto123]

well technically you can always re-take the MCAT or take additional classes to boost your GPA if you are still in college...

well technically you can always re-take the SAT if you so choose. for about $50 each time, you can take it as many times as you want, whenever you want.

 

[fastdude400]

Wayne State also asked me for my ACT score during my interview.

 

[scarletgirl777]

I would strongly disagree that a 1290 on the old SAT is embarrassing, I know many people who scored lower than that and who went to "Top 20" schools.

I wouldn't say it's embarrassing either, and I know someone (no, she is not a URM 🙄 and I doubt that she is "disadvantaged") with scores in the 1100 range who is at a "Top 20" school...but, weren't you just a little bit surprised? I mean, you have to admit it's not a score that one would call stellar.

 

[Revilla]

So how bad does it look if you never took the SAT, ACT, or any other standardized test? Do you just check NA on the application or should you call them to explain?

 

[1956Goldtop]

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[LizzyM]

well technically you can always re-take the SAT if you so choose. for about $50 each time, you can take it as many times as you want, whenever you want.

What is an adcom going to think of someone who re-takes the SAT after taking the MCAT??😕

 

[Dienekes]

Wayne State also asked me for my ACT score during my interview.

They are going to be SOL on that from me (I live in Michigan so I'm definitely applying to WSU) but I never took the ACT.

 

[Dienekes]

What is an adcom going to think of someone who re-takes the SAT after taking the MCAT??😕

*dun-dun-dun!*

TO BE CONTINUED....

 

[bawer234]

I scored a 1290 on my SAT back in 2002(?), it used to be out of 1600 but now I think its 2400.

Are we talking about 1290 out of 1600 or 1290 out of 2400 cause there's a pretty big difference?

 

[rowerlauren]

Pretty much all of the current applicants graduated high school in or before 2005 and were the last people to use the 1600 basis. So they will know it is out of 1600 and not 2400.

 

[chad5871]

I got a 1330 on my SAT back in 2003, and most people were relatively impressed - a score around 1300/1600 is not embarassing at all. I was always proud of my score and it was enough to get me a scholarship for undergrad, and that's all that I cared about.

 

[Mayday]

I'm just hoping that they will understand if you don't submit a SAT score - I never took the SAT or ACT.

 

[hum3a]

i was asked during my undergrad's mock interview about it. I got a 26 on the ACT with my lowest section being biology. And then a 31 on the MCAT with bio being the highest. they were asking about the discrepency

 

[Bacchus]

i was asked during my undergrad's mock interview about it. I got a 26 on the ACT with my lowest section being biology. And then a 31 on the MCAT with bio being the highest. they were asking about the discrepency

That's your undergrad being ridiculous and nit-picky. If anything they should gloat that they "taught you all you know about the biological sciences."

 

[Myuu]

What is an adcom going to think of someone who re-takes the SAT after taking the MCAT??😕

It would appear that an adcom would be very confused. 😀

 

[Raryn]

What is an adcom going to think of someone who re-takes the SAT after taking the MCAT??😕

I occasionally consider retaking the SAT just to see how I would do on the new one... I might do it just for fun. 😛

Hell, I've considered taking the LSAT for the same reason, but I doubt I'll ever bother.

 

[Bacchus]

Fun is taking the $50 and going out to a bar with friends, or a show, or a game... not taking an aptitude test that has no purpose for collegiate students.

 

[ButImLETired]

Huh, I called my high school today to see what percentile my SAT was in, and apparently it's about the same percentile as the MCAT...go figure...

 

[MilkmanAl]

I was going to post a fun SAT fact about myself, but I think it'd piss off too many people. I'll just say I got a 1550 and leave it at that. I guess that's roughly the same percentile as a 35 on the MCAT? I didn't study for the SAT (unless you count a prior test administration), though.

 

[katarzyna]

i don't know... man

this makes me think.. i have never taken the SAT. I only took the ACT.

so should i take the SAT?

and oh, i got a horrible score in that ACT test... 🙁

but i was 15 when i took it.

Should I retake it? and also take the SAT?

 

[Raryn]

I was going to post a fun SAT fact about myself, but I think it'd piss off too many people. I'll just say I got a 1550 and leave it at that. I guess that's roughly the same percentile as a 35 on the MCAT? I didn't study for the SAT (unless you count a prior test administration), though.

1550 is a much higher percentile than a 35. I got a 1470 and iirc its in the same percentile as my 39... Gotta remember that these are two very different populations of test takers though.

Edit: 1550 on the SAT is roughly the same as a 35 on the ACT though. 36 is a perfect ACT score.

 

[WinterLights]

I only took the ACT.