<p>I'm kind of in a jam, then. Now then, I took the SAT earlier this year, when I was in 11th grade. Since I had not yet taken math above Algebra 2 and Geometry, my SAT score (esp. math) was pretty lackluster (2060; 620 M, 680 W, 760 CR). I'm homeschooled, and after 11th grade, I decided to take courses at the university in my city instead of 12th grade (I contacted MIT admissions and they said that it's fine for me to apply as a freshman). I took college-level precalc and other courses. </p>
<p>So...here's what I'm wondering. If I take a Math SAT subject test and the Bio SAT, and not the SAT Reasoning Test (and instead send in my SAT scores from before), will the admissions officers understand the situation and not see my SAT score as an auto-reject since I'd (hopefully) demonstrate that I'm competent in math by a stellar score on the Math SAT? </p>
<p>Alternatively, would it be better for me to take the SAT Reasoning test and not the subject tests? I kinda think not, since I've already taken the SAT Reasoning test and I at least already have a score on that. </p>
<p>Finally, there is one more (probably hopeless) option. The next <em>ACT</em> testing date is on Feb. 8. I imagine this is too late for MIT to receive the score in time? </p>
<p>Any input/advice/suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks!</p>
<p>Remember that SAT subject tests are required for admissions. It would be in your best interest to take those in January, especially if MIT is your first choice school. If not, it might be advisable to retake SAT and withdraw your application from MIT in the hope it will boost your chances for other schools.</p>
<p>Also, your SAT score is not bad. Sure it might not be the 2350 that some students have, but remember that test scores do not play as great a role for MIT admissions as they do for other schools.</p>
<p>The thing is that the SAT II’s are REQUIRED… So you have no choice if you want to apply to MIT.
Although in my eyes - take SAT I and apply to other schools. That’s just my opinion, but if you really want MIT - go for SAT II’s.</p>
<p>The February ACT scores will indeed arrive too late for MIT’s evaluation process. As others have said, you’ll need to take the SAT IIs in January, since those are required.</p>
<p>Where else are you applying to college without having retaken the SAT from a score that’s a year old and that you don’t think reflects your abilities?</p>
<p>Let’s be honest here. MIT is a difficult college to get into, and you are probably a marginal candidate. As davelee says, your SAT I scores are not that bad, but there aren’t going to be a lot of students at MIT with a 620 Math score. That’s more than 100 points below the 25th percentile of enrolled MIT students, which probably represents no higher than the 20th percentile of accepted applicants. Also, among homeschooled students at MIT, I suspect very few had not gone beyond Algebra 2 by mid-11th grade. It’s not impossible that you could put together a compelling application, and that MIT would accept you, but even in the best case it’s not very likely. A high SAT II math score would definitely improve your chances, but the “improvement” might be from almost nothing to not very good.</p>
<p>As people have said, if you are going to apply to MIT, you need to take the SAT II, and that’s that. The thing is, if you want an MIT-like college education, you probably ought to be looking for it at colleges other than MIT, in case you aren’t accepted there. That would be true even if you were a completely stellar candidate, and it’s doubly or triply true if MIT is a real long shot for you.</p>
<p>Many of the colleges where you could study science or engineering like at MIT, and where you have a better chance of admission, do not require the SAT II, but they will look at your SAT I scores. And improving your SAT I Math score could make a real difference in your chances of getting admitted someplace that isn’t MIT, but where you could get the kind of college education you want. So you maybe ought to think about whether your best chance at an MIT-like college education is NOT to apply to MIT and to use the January SAT date to re-take the SAT I.</p>
<p>I am not trying to make you feel bad or discouraged. Ordinarily, I would say “Go for it!” if you wanted to apply to MIT. In this case, though, I worry that pursuing an MIT dream is going to cost you something meaningful in terms of your more realistic possibilities. But if you already have a safety you know you can get into and afford with your current SAT I, and that you will feel good about attending, then by all means go for it at MIT.</p>