Article from Newsweek

Don't Panic if Your SAT Scores Are Lousy

Even if you don't nail the SATs, you can still tailor your application to make your positive attributes stand out.

What can you do to overcome lousy SAT scores on your college application?

Relax, and take a deep breath. The SAT is only a slice of your application. Sure, it's important, and a high score can certainly open some campus doors, but don't forget that there are many other factors that Most selective colleges use SAT scores not as a formulaic cutoff to weed out students, but simply as a guide or another piece of information to give the admissions office a larger picture of the applicant. If you have a stellar transcript and worthwhile extracurricular activities, your SAT scores should not hold you back from finding a rigorous college. And remember, the SAT is just one part of your application. If your score is not where you want it to be, take a deep breath, and push on. You'll do fine.What's more, there's a small but growing trend among college admissions offices today to dispense with SAT scores altogether. Top-tier schools like Bates College, Bowdoin, College of the Holy Cross, Smith College, and Wake Forest University are just a few of the schools that have decided to make SAT scores optional. Fair Test gives a list of more than 830 schools doing this.

Here are a few tips on how to tailor your application so you have the best chance for success:

1) Write the college essay you were going to write--without excuses like "I don't test well." Your college essay should be where the college admissions officers get to know you as a person and discover your passions and the value you would bring to the university. Excuses or explaining why you didn't do better on the SAT in your main application essay will just draw attention to your low score!

2) Your high-school guidance counselor can weigh in.  If there is a legitimate reason why your test didn't go well, a letter of recommendation from a guidance counselor is a good place for that explanation.

3) If there's an optional essay part of the application, write it!  Some colleges have an optional essay. If you have a low SAT score, take the opportunity to explain why this happened, but be careful not to come across as whiny. Still, a strong essay can go a long way to augment an application. your college profile: your GPA, application essays, teacher recommendations, and a campus interview.

4) Apply to reach schools: don't rule any out based on an SAT score.  I've seen students rejected at local state schools but admitted to Ivy League colleges because the state schools used a formula to determine a student's eligibility while the Ivies, in this case Dartmouth and Brown, looked at the whole picture of a student. Remember to check out schools that don't require you to report your SAT scores. You can find the list here.

SAT-optional schools sometimes create surprising results. One student I worked with was rejected from the University of Oregon but accepted to Sarah Lawrence. (He's a junior now at Sarah Lawrence and pulling in straight A's.)

Of course, having a good SAT score definitely helps your admission odds and your chances of earning merit scholarships, but a low one doesn't mean you're doomed. Still, it's worthwhile to put the time and energy into studying for the SAT so you can improve your score.

5) Take the SAT more than once.  No matter what your score is the first time you take the SAT, it's a good idea to take the test again. It probably won't hurt, since most schools will take the highest score from each section. And often students do better the second time around because they are more familiar with the test. Ideally, you would take the test in the spring of your junior year and then again in the fall of your senior year. Colleges will usually look at your combined highest score. For instance, let's say the first time you take the test you do well in the math section but don't do as well in the reading and writing portions. When you prepare to take the test again, focus on practicing reading and writing. If your scores are higher the second time around in those sections, colleges will usually put those together with your high math score from the first time you took the test.

6) Study consistently for the test.  I've seen the best improvement in SAT scores from students who spend about an hour or more each week taking practice tests and then consistently going over concepts and vocabulary they need to learn. I've found that students who set aside the same time each week to study have the best success. For instance, Sunday nights from 8 to 9 p.m., is a popular time to do SAT preparation.7) Use online resources.  Many students sign up for an SAT prep class, which is a good idea if you want to spend the money. But there's also plenty of information available on the Web. Several Web sites have free practice tests and tips. The best places to start are the College Board and Princeton Review. Both sites offer full-length practice tests.

—Williams is a certified life coach and college consultant. He's the founder of the college-consulting company Top Ten Skills and the author of Future-Proofed: Your Guide to Acing High School, the College Application, and Beyond.