College is a huge step in a student’s life; not only does it open doors to highly specialized jobs, but it is also an incredibly formative time. It is the first step toward building the life you want. However, what prepares students for that first step begins in high school. A combination of grades, SAT scores, and extracurricular activities helps determine where students will spend the next four years.
The SAT, in particular, is a national test designed to show colleges whether students are ready for college-level work. It is one of the only standardized ways to measure a student’s academic performance across schools. However, the test has sparked debate among students over which factor carries more weight in college admissions: GPA or the SAT.
“I think neither of them, because if you choose easy classes through your high school years, you could just get a better GPA,” senior Juan Araujo said.
High schools offer a wide range of classes students can take over four years, from freshman to senior year. Some students strategically take easier classes to boost their GPA. However, many also enroll in Advanced Placement classes to get a head start on college and potentially earn college credit by passing final exams. These demanding courses can increase a student’s weighted GPA, making a strong transcript nearly as important as a high SAT score.
“I think it’s harder to have a better GPA because if you get lazy for a week or if there is a year you did badly, then your GPA just goes down,” senior Jose Hernandez said.
At over 2,100 colleges, the SAT is not required for applications, though it can still carry weight in how colleges evaluate academic readiness. For some students, however, the SAT does not fully reflect the effort they put into their coursework.
“For GPA, if you take harder classes, it looks way better on your resume than just taking an exam,” Hernandez said.
Juniors take the school-administered SAT in the spring. Some students, like Santiago Tomaselli, worry about the exam because it focuses on subjects they may not excel in.
“I’m a little concerned about the SAT because it focuses on math and English, and those are not my best subjects at school,” Tomaselli said. “But if I study for it, I could do well.”
The SAT can also benefit students who struggle in their regular classes by giving them another opportunity to demonstrate academic ability. Students can retake the exam multiple times to improve their scores, making it a potential advantage for those with lower GPAs.
“You can take the SAT so many times, and you have time to prepare, and it’s just English and math,” Hernandez said.
Many students believe GPA carries more weight in college admissions because it reflects four years of consistent effort. While a strong SAT score can strengthen an application, not all colleges require it, making GPA a more universally important factor.
“Focus on the GPA,” Araujo said. “It weighs more than your SAT does because the SAT is optional at some colleges, and you don’t really need it.”
Ultimately, both GPA and the SAT are valid and important components of college applications. While students may prioritize one over the other, balancing both remains key to long-term success after high school.
