Do I have a shot at getting into a private liberal arts school, like Bard or Vassar?

If you apply test options disregarding your previous SAT scores, you will still need evidence of great ECs, leadership, excellent essays, super recommendations and course rigor. With rampant grade inflation throughout the US, a 4.0 GPA doesn't mean much these days alone without context. If you take 10 APs and have a 4.0 that means something different than someone taking zero APs and having a 4.0. Also if 100 people at your HS have a 4.0 that's different than you being the only person in your HS with perfect grades.

Hi,

I usually follow this general rule, If you've taken the SAT and got a not so decent score, go test optional while building other aspects of your application. When applying test optional colleges like Vassar and Bard they look at what else makes you a good applicant, course rigor, EC, etc. If you have an EC that you're really into move up the ladder and get a leadership position. If you'd prefer doing something not related to school but still looks good, start a passion project. You're just trying to show these schools you're a well rounded student, you can challenge yourself, you're passionate about the things you challenge yourself with, and finally the test scores don't determine who you are as a person. I know friends who've gone test optional with a 3.7, but they had a good explanation (test anxiety) and a really good passion project.

I wish you the best of luck <<33!!!