Hi guys, I need to talk to anyone who got in American university without submitting the SAT or ACT.
I’m an international student who studies in Egypt, STEM school system, I got 3.88 Unweight GPA, We study all honors and we got no APs . I got 7.5 IELTS overall score, I was Finalist in intel ISEF, volunteering work + participation in many organizations. I haven’t taken the SAT yet, I’m currently planning to but I was wondering if I could apply to AU as it is my first choice without the SAT scores, what are my odds? I need to know how do they compare between students cuz apparently an applicant with a test score would have an advantage over the ones who didn’t submit theirs.
Is applying for an early decision could actually make the process less selective?
"No separate application form or process is required to be considered for AU merit scholarships. A separate application is required only for the AU Emerging Global Leader Scholarship.
American University’s merit awards for international students are partial, not full, scholarships. They are awarded based on a combination of outstanding academic achievement, excellent communication skills in English, leadership, volunteerism, and community service. Merit award consideration is highly competitive and the number of scholarships available is limited. All American University merit awards are awarded at the time of admission, and not after enrollment. These funds are renewable for all four years of study based on successful continued academic performance.
No need-based financial aid is available to international students (non-U.S. citizens)."
So you might get merit aid but it will nowhere near cover your costs and you are not eligible for need based aid. I have not researched the scholarship mentioned above.
It is also important to note if you submit your application without test scores, you can not submit scores later.
I’m sorry @“Eslam Gamal” I have not researched Bates College, so I don’t much about it. It’s #27 of Liberal Arts Colleges, so it’s in the top 11% of ranked LAC.
Bates is a great school and its been test-optional since the 1980’s. Both of my kids applied without submitting scores. They had strong GPAs and extracurriculars. Bates does not give merit awards but does have good need-based financial aid. The application is free for international students. If you are not a native English speaker or educated in English you will need to submit the TOEFL or IELTS.
Bates is in the NESCAC, a New England sports league that encompasses some of the strongest liberal arts schools in the country, kind of analogous to the Ivy League for universities. Please note that I am not comparing the two leagues in terms of value or selectivity, just that they are similar in structure in that they are both sports leagues, offer only need-based aid, have strong academics, and are located in the Northeast.
A note on test-optional policies. At some schools not submitting puts students at a slight disadvantage, at others it does not at all. According to Bates admissions Bates is in this second category. I know that if you submit SAT scores on the Common App but you choose the “do not consider my scores” option for Bates the scores are blanked out so admissions officers never see them.