<p>I'm an international student (from Romania) who - like half the global population in the age range of 14 to 19 - fantasizes about studying at Yale. However, I'm not sure about my actual chances to be accepted in this academic wonderland. I'm interested in art history and literature so I figured that Yale with its marvelously beautiful campus and immense library is the perfect place to pursue studies in those particular fields.
However, I got the SAT scores today: 800 CR, 710 M and 720 W (essay: 9). I was rather disappointed, especially with the essay score since most of my extracurricular activities are related to writing. Is my score Yale material?</p>
<p>It is a solid score. You should take the test again to see if you can increase it. But an acceptance to Yale is dependent upon so many things. The score is only one piece.</p>
<p>Sorta, but if you’re getting 800 in CR I think a good retake can easily raise your essay scores. </p>
<p>Most internationals usually find CR their hardest section. Informally, it is also the section colleges seem to give the most weight to. </p>
<p>The SAT essay is not too hard to get a 12 on. There is no time or room for flair or detailed thinking; all it takes is memorizing a simple structure and some common background knowledge.</p>
<p>@splat11: I’m afraid to retake it and I don’t even know if I have the time to. I still have to take the subject tests in Lit, US History and French and these, or at least the first two, require a lot of studying. And I don’t know, doesn’t the fact that you’ve taken the SAT twice influence the admission’s office…in a negative way?</p>
<p>@Gryffon5147: Well I’m glad CR is so important! I don’t find it that hard probably because I love to read. On the other hand, my writing is usually rather convoluted in the first paragraphs but I clarify everything in the final paragraph… which I couldn’t finish on the actual test day. I think that explains the 9. However, I assume Yale puts a lot of emphasis on the SAT essay, right? I see you’re a Yalie yourself; would you mind my asking about your SAT score and how many times you’ve taken the test? Thanks :)</p>
<p>just adding my input, no it doesn’t matter if you take the SAT twice, it’s once you start taking it more than 3 times that they start giving you odd looks. About your SAT II’s, any particulare reason for taking USH? Wouldn’t World History make more sense in terms of what your familiar with and you interest in Art History? I didn’t do particularly well on the essay either but it ended up working well. Forget being intellectual and write w/ a formula, most importantly, FINISH. The SAT graders are not Yale adcom, they don’t appreciate convoluted writing as much and your SAT essay isn’t sent w/ your score. Therefore, save your “good” writing for you app essays :)</p>
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<p>It is well known that the SAT essay is not a good measure of creative writing ability. My daughter, a creative writer, also had a 9 or a 10 in her SAT writing and that did not keep her from being admitted to Yale.</p>
<p>cuteponytail,
Prepare for those 3 Subject Tests these next few months and take them as soon as possible (October 9). And if you’re satisfied with your 3 scores, take the SAT Reasoning November 6. This way, you can make the Yale SCEA deadline if you’re interested in that; make sure you send your scores immediately upon receiving them. But honestly 2230 is a pretty solid score. I’m a member of the Class of 2014… I scored 2230 on my first try and rose by over 100 points on my second. This doesn’t happen for everyone , but you never know. After the second time, my advice is do not take it again. My 3 Subject Tests were all 760+, which is pretty doable if you prep well. I don’t know if you’re still in school right now, but I would get all of my college app essays out of the way in August and September and make sure you do an amazing job! It’s the only way that they can distinguish you from everyone else :).
And about the Subject Tests… on the day of, I would start out with US History- it gets you settled but is not as impossible as the other 2 subject tests (I recommend going over the textbook you use in school but more importantly the AMSCO flag book which was a godsend for me). Keep track of your time, an hour for each test. A few of my friends went in there thinking as long as I get 600+ or 700+ I’ll be happy, but just do your best… yes even 1 or 2 wrong can still get you an 800 but you should also concentrate on making each question count. And make sure you make those deadlines!</p>
<p>Yale requires the results of only two SAT Subject Tests, not three. </p>
<p>You can also submit ACT in lieu of both SAT I and Subject Tests. </p>
<p>[Standardized</a> Testing | Application to Yale College | Freshmen | Office of Undergraduate Admissions](<a href=“Home | Yale College Undergraduate Admissions”>Home | Yale College Undergraduate Admissions)</p>
<p>Georgetown is the only school left in the US that requires three SAT Subject Tests.</p>
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<p>Well I actually am more familiar with World History but there are two things that keep me from choosing it: 1. you can only take it in December; that’s a bit too late and 2. I’ve heard it’s easier to learn for US History since it covers only 500-600 years whereas World History spans over two millenia.</p>
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<p>I know, the SAT essay does not really provide the best opportunity to prove talent for writing. But I guess they’re not looking for talent?
Anyway thanks! I hope I’ll be as lucky as she was. That’s an encouraging thought! I mean, should I really retake it? I’m not sure if it’s worth running the risk to have a lower score the second time.</p>
<p>@bloomsday: Thanks for the great advice!</p>
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<p>Well I figured I’d give French a try. There’s no harm in taking more than is required. For instance, colleges ask internationals to submit either their IELTS score or their TOEFL score. I already took the IELTS exam (got the maximum score) but I’ve been thinking about taking TOEFL too. Although… if I have to retake the SAT I might give the idea up since I won’t have the time or money for it.</p>
<p>US history is absolutely your choice, I think it blurred w/ the AP test in terms of difficulty, however, I was thiniking that you may not have formally studie3d US and probably have more of a background in world, practice tests are always useful! As for taking the TOEFL, why bother? You have MAXIMUM score in the other, you cannot do better, only worse, this is different from French where it demonstrates a different area of expertise, don’t waste time and money on it.</p>
<p>That’s faaaaar from “Yale material,” bud.</p>
<p>2230 is fine. There is no need to take it again. Do well on your Subject Tests, make sure you’re doing well in school, that your essays are good and your recommendations, and you should be fine. You are an international student, and the 800 in CR is very solid. SATs are not that important (not like a 2230 is a bad score to begin with), especially not as important as other parts of your application. If you’re really paranoid, or really feel like you can do better, then go ahead and take it again. I think it’s a waste, though, and you should focus your efforts on other parts of your application.</p>
<p>Also, do not worry if you do take it again and do worse. Yale sees only your top scores in each section, if I’m not mistaken, so it shouldn’t matter.</p>
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Well that’s encouraging, bud.</p>
<p>Anything over like 2150 is elite and top percentile. Don’t worry. Be proud you are so smart.</p>
<p>omg nooooo
i took both AP wh and AP ush
APUSH is so much in depth and a TON more to memorize than wh</p>
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<p>Really? Well I should have expected US History is more in depth. It’s so annoying there’s no World History test until December.</p>
<p>superasian is talking about APs. cuteponytail is talking about SAT Subject Tests. Not the same.</p>