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Your chance of acceptance
Duke University
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UCLA
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Your chancing factors
Unweighted GPA: 3.7
1.0
4.0
SAT: 720 math
200
800
| 800 verbal
200
800

Extracurriculars

Low accuracy (4 of 18 factors)

Is it more advantageous to prepare for the SAT or focus on work and extracurricular activities?

Hello there, I'm currently a junior in high school and I'm at a crossroads. With college applications looming in the near future, I'm torn between preparing for the SAT or devoting my time to work and other activities. With many colleges now offering test-optional admissions, I'm wondering if it's worth the time and effort to prepare for the SAT. Would it significantly boost my chances of getting in or earning scholarships? Or could I achieve similar results by focusing on work and extracurriculars? If anyone has any experiences or advice they could share, I'd really appreciate it. Thanks!

a year ago

Hello! It's great that you're thinking critically about this. For most colleges, a holistic review of your application is performed, meaning they consider everything from grades, test scores (if you choose to submit them), extracurriculars, to work experience. Preparing for the SAT can certainly make you a competitive applicant if your scores are strong. However, if you excel in other areas like work or extracurricular activities, those can also make your application stand out. It's about finding a balance that works for you. Just remember, there's no one-size-fits-all approach to college admissions.

a year ago

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