Amanda:

Relax.

You ACT scores will not hurt you, nor be detrimental to how admissions officers evaluate your SAT scores.

Admissions officers know that test scores are "episodic." I.e., the tests measure something that takes place over a few hours, as opposed to things like GPAs which measure your performance over years. Remember, college usually takes four years, not four hours! Admissions officers know that people can be sick, or simply have nerves taking a first, or even a second, test. They are much more interested in your performance over the long term. College is a marathon (or a triathlon, if your prefer), not a sprint.

Your best scores are the ones that count. Admissions officers do not average your scores. In fact, students retaking and improving on their tests look good to admissions officers. You have worked to improve, and that demonstrates determination.

Your SAT scores are very good, and will not prevent your applications being considered at all but the most competitive schools.

I don't know how you prepared, or for how long. But if you wish, I'll be happy to talk to you about your preparations, and help you decide if you should retake your SATs.

But for now, rest easy. Your ACT performance will not hurt you at all.

Robert Eller
Test Prep Europe
Milan, Italy

Dear Amanda,
You forgot one critical detail to round out your question: your current and expected graduating GPA. You also mention that you have a specific set of colleges to which you are applying but don't tell us that either...so you've made this just a little harder to answer...

First, the short answer is your scores will not likely be detrimental...note "Likely." This is because you haven't told us what colleges you are targeting, so I will procede on assumption.

Second, here are a few assumptions, and a reliable response for you:
1. I assume you are not applying to Ivy League, nor
2. are you applying to community college.
3. Therefore, I conclude that you are a medium college bound junior or senior targeting state schools and a few higher end schools.

If I am right, here is my answer, and a few tips:

1. Do some web surfing and read the admissions policies of the colleges you want to attend closely. Remember that SAT/ACT scores are only a portion of your candidacy for a college. They will look at all those scores and see positives and perhaps a few negatives, but don't worry. Your high ACT reading score makes you a strong candidate in a text-centered world like college (where I taught English for 12 years). I've listed two sites below so you can start there...the second one has a list of good schools who don't even consider SAT/ACT.

2. As I mentioned above, your average college admissions person is trained in looking at the whole person; that's why they told you all the way through high school to be involved in lots of extracurricular organizations such as sports, but also academic teams, etc. With a reasonable GPA of 3.0-3.3 or so, these other activities, plus your high reading score would suggest you would make a reasonably good student as a freshman. Colleges mostly want well-rounded persons, not just grade geeks.

3. I'd pay more attention to the admissions essay you are going to be writing for these colleges. Much weight goes into these, and students whose writing is very poor lose a great deal of the credit which may come from higher scores elsewhere.

Go to college apps below and look at their long list of schools and see if you have time to add any of these to your list. Worry less about the schools who skip over you for a single test score...I wouldn't respect that superficial of a method of student selection anyway. At most, they probably use the scores to weed out applications which go straight to the basement; then, the ones they want to look at get a more comprehensive look.

That's about all I can contribute,

Elocutus55 (Ph.D.)

If the ACT is not required, send just the SAT. There's no reason to send both if the ACT is not required. If the ACT is required, send both, even if the SAT is not required, so they see the higher score as well. Finally, if you send the ACT score, make sure to address in your cover letter why you got low scores in it, mentioning the high SAT scores to support your claim that the ACT doesn't accurately represent your abilities.

It depends on which tests you took when. If you got a higher score after the lower, they will like the improvement.

These tests aren't too bad, and they will not hurt you if you have other things in order. These scores are just one indicator of your ability to succeed in college, and they are just showing you can take a test well. Universities care more about your grades, courses taken, and extracurricular activities. If you can shine in other areas besides the tests, the universities will accept you. With these scores alone, you won't not get accepted into college, but always remember it's not the scores that matter, it's the person. If you are serious about going to a specific college, then interview with them, and also be sure to apply early action or early decision. Colleges will accept someone who has better grades, extracurriculars, and such over someone who just has high test scores. So, reach for the sky, and do not let these test scores get in the way of applying to the college you want to go to.

Always remember, they always take your highest test score! I know of a true story, someone did not do so well on the SAT the first time around, and then the second time around they scored a perfect SAT. The first score was eliminated, and the perfect SAT score was taken. You can always take these tests again, and do better the next time. Good luck!