2 good sections on SAT, 1 bad

<p>I am really strong in math and science, but not so good in english related areas. English is my second language and it hurt me on the critical reading portion. I got 780 math, 670 writing but 510 critical reading. Will schools in the UC system take that into effect or not? Also, I have an UW GPA of 3.88 and weighted 4.04.</p>

<p>Wow.. that's exactly like me.
English is my second language too, and I got 740M, 680W, 600CR.
I got 510 for three times and surprisingly got 600 the last time.
If you are international and have taken the TOEFL test, I think they will understand your situation. However, you don't want to make excuses.
I think in our cases, we have to make the essays stand out. It could make a difference. and who knows?
Good luck with your colleges^^</p>

<p>Wow that's like me too haha.</p>

<p>790M 720W 610CR</p>

<p>I only took it once in October and I plan to take it in January to boost the CR to at least 670. A lot of my friends got a 600-630 first time and then a 670-700 the second time (even some immigrants), so it's possible.</p>

<p>i'm not international, I just learned to speak a different language first before I learned English. Its the same thing tho</p>

<p>Wow that its exactly like me!</p>

<p>720 math
660 writing
530 reading</p>

<p>I was exactly in your position not too long ago. 620 CR, 680 W, 780 M. I had taken the test twice and that was my combined score. In December, I took it a third time, employing a new testing strategy that wound up working fabulously. My new scores: 740 CR, 760 W, 780 M. </p>

<p>What did I do? Little to no studying or practice testing. My only opportunity for prepping was the night before, and instead of prepping, I had fun, and tried to get into a nice, calm, stress-free state of mind. I listened to music, talked to friends, laughed, and made an effort to relieve myself of any pressure or worry. I've determined that, at least in my case, the SATs kick my ass when I'm having a bad day, I'm nervous, I can't think straight at the moment, and I freak out about it. As much as a lot of the test is knowledge of content, you can do pretty well if you can engage your reasoning skills, and I think such abilities are optimal when one is in the right state of mind.</p>

<p>What are your SAT II scores? Your UC GPA? (if you don't know how to compute it go to <a href="http://universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions/welcome.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions/welcome.html&lt;/a&gt;) What is your class rank? (Are you eligible in the local context by ranking in the top 4%)?</p>

<p>Some of the UC's will overlook a low SAT I score on one section IF these other factors are strong. There are also other factors that the UC comprehensive review process weighs, including leadership, talent, overcoming hardships, coming from a low performing high school, etc. Of course, if you are not ELC, you also must meet the UC Index standards.</p>

<p>Without this information, no one can say how that 510 will affect your chances in the UC system. Assuming you are only a junior, you have plenty of time to work to bring up that reading score. If you are a senior who has already applied, we'd need the information I mentioned above to really say what your chances will be.</p>

<p>me too </p>

<p>800 M
800 CR
800 W</p>

<p>UC GPA: 4.04
Unweighted:3.88
School API: 900
SAT I: M(780) V(510) W(670)
Total:1960 Composite: 1990
SAT II: MATH IIC(800) PHYSICS(750)
Physics AP: 5
Calculus AB: 5
Calculus BC: planned
AP Statistics: planned
Spanish Language: planned</p>

<p>Parents born in iran. Farsi is first language. English is second</p>

<p>Senior Classes:
Gov/Econ
Spanish 4 Honors
AP Statistics
AP Calculus BC
Orchestra
English 4</p>

<p>Awards:
Scholarship to week long leadership camp (only 144 recipients from norcal)
California Scholarship Federation Life Member
7 Time North Coast Scholar Athlete
Member of National Society of High School Scholars
Certificate of Merit in Violin level 4 and 6
California Boys State Alternate</p>

<p>Extracurricular Activities:
150 hours volunteering at hospital
4 years volunteering as swim coach volunteer in special olympics
Farsi cultural class tutor for four years (200 hours)
20 hrs a week for 32 weeks of water polo each year for 4 yrs
20 hrs a week for 32 weeks of swimming each year for 4 yrs</p>

<p>Job Experience:
Head Junior Swim Coach 2 yrs
Receptionist 3 yrs
Lifeguard 2 yrs</p>

<p>I have hearing loss in left ear and its affected me ever since I have been a kid, but i have fought through it. wrote my open ended uc essay on that and how ive played violin even though ive lose some hearing.</p>

<p>uc's, usc, stanford</p>

<p>UCBUCB, have you lived in the US your whole life? Unfortunately, I think colleges will care about your verbal score even though english is not your first language (you did go to k-12 in the US?)</p>

<p>What the...?</p>

<p>How is everyone doing so good at writing and bad at CR?</p>

<p>My CR is 700~ and writing is 600~ (sophomore).</p>

<p>UCB, I think you'll have a good shot at many of the UC schools, depending on your intended major at some schools. As I said, the UC's look at the whole picture. Stanford regular decision is iffy with a 510 verbal no matter how you look at it, but you never know. USC is hard to predict, but if you're not applying to their more competive programs, you will have a good shot. Good luck!</p>

<p>Wow. Why are you guys even worrying? Look at me.</p>

<p>740 M
510 W
360 CR</p>

<p>ive lived in the US my whole life but im in an international atmosphere. i speak farsi everyday with my parents.</p>

<p>yea i'm w/ Flippy
my W is lower than CR
i'm retaking in january tho</p>

<p>How the hell do you get 360 on CR??!?</p>

<p>Try this:</p>

<p>Read the passage carefully and always go back and reread some parts while answering questions.
While reading, try to make sure you get the big picture and understand most (hard passages, I know..).</p>

<p>And do some vocabulary study, it helps a lot.</p>

<p>I recently subscribed to the New Yorker, Scientific American, and Discovery because articles there are similar to those on the SAT passages.</p>

<p>first time i toke it M710 CR 650 W510....but i had lots of writing help so i improved up to M800 CR800 W800...english second laguage so im proud...i wasnt even bored here</p>

<p>I understand your situations. But, if it's not too late for you to take another test, try to take TOEFL.</p>