<p>Hello,
I am an international student and in the equivalent of junior year of high school.
I am sitting my first official SAT test in 4 days!
So far I have not been doing so well in my practice tests- my lows have been consistently low fro CR and Writing especially.</p>
<p>My questions are:
1) How much priority does Hopkins give to SAT scores?
2) How many times should I take the SAT, making sure I don't compromise my high school grades?</p>
<p>I have done 5 full practice tests and I got 3x(1930) , one 1950 and one 1980.</p>
<p>My average score is 1950 (CR: 620, W: 640, M:690)</p>
<p>I believe that you can score 200 points higher on the real test. The SAT results are often times unpredictable. but in my case, it came out higher than i expected. </p>
<p>Also, does anyone have any advice for the SAT Essay section? I don’t do English/ History in school anymore and I don’t usually have time to read outside class. I only have a few more days and I been desperately trying to accumulate examples! Any advice will be appreciated! </p>
<p>I am applying to johns hopkins as well, but as a senior. I have a 2030 on the SAT. I obviously can’t offer much advice since we are in the same boat, but this is a reach school for me. However, my scores are within their inter quartile range, so I figured what the heck! From what I heard, admission is pretty ramdom and more based on ECs. best of luck to you! </p>
<p>@Kigzcorp - Thank you! Are the actual examples important? Will I be downgraded for writing about 2 personal examples instead of literary/historical/knowledge-based?</p>
<p>@annamartin136 - ooh awesome! What are you applying for? And well done on your SAT scoree! Ah, I don’t have many EC’s either- could you give me some ideas as to what I could do? </p>
<p>Your score should go up on the actual SAT, but not by 200 points. Get above a 2050 and you should be relatively okay, not in, but not automatically out. The general rule is to not take it any more than 3 times. </p>
<p>As far as ECs go, don’t do random things just to put on your application. Try to do a few meaningful activities that somehow relate to something you are passionate about and that you feel like you can possibly grow in in such a short amount of time. </p>
<p>Keep your GPA up (above a 3.8) and try to get Math above a 700. </p>
<p>I will come back to the EC topic after my SAT but one Q- the only EC I have done for freshman, sophmore and junior year of HS is painting- I have taken extra classes and been exhibited at 2 different schools. This year I will donate a few of my paintings to a charity exhibition. But otherwise I have not done any more EC’s for freshman and sophmore year. I have joined some new EC’s this year and I will stick with them for 2 years- but so far, will it hurt my chances that I haven’t done many for 2-3 yrs? </p>
<p>it will hurt your chances, but you can counteract this by doing meaningful ECs. The fact that you have grown in your painting classes and have donated your paintings to charity is actually very good, something you can easily write about and something truly unique. A lot of people join ECs their junior year, and as long as you show some sort of growth in them they can help you a lot. </p>
<p>Ultimately though, you should have at least 2 or 3 that you’ve been doing since freshman year. </p>
<p>Remember, you can always take the SAT again. Have you tried the ACT? I got my SAT score with hard studying, then realizing that the ACT with writing could be taken in lieu of the SAT I. :(( </p>
<p>On my very first practice SAT test without studying and with the time constraints, I scored below 500 on every part.
On my very first practice ACT with the (strict) time constraints and without prep, I got a 28 overall.</p>
<p>John Hopkins lets you take the ACT with writing instead of the SAT I (they highly encourage SAT IIs though). I suggest you give it a chance.</p>
<p>@wtj212 - Thank you! But I don’t get what you mean by ‘meaningful EC’s’?</p>
<p>@Gallory - thanks! However, I probably wouldn’t go for the ACT because I’m not only applying to the States. Plus, its a whole different test and familiarising myself with it will take a long time and a lot of effort and personally, I think I’d do better by working on something ive already practiced a LOT rather than trying to learn a whole new thing? </p>
<p>@LexieA I understand, but I still say take the free practice test they have online anyway just to see how it goes for you. I’m the last person to give SAT advice besides learn tricks to get you through the h*llish thing faster. There are countless threads on CC here that give you tips and tricks on how to get a higher SAT score overall or on x section.</p>
<p>While on the topic of EC’s, I know Leadership is an attribute that is seriously considered. However, I do not hold/ have not ever held a leadership position. Also, the EC’s in my school are not very good and it is extremely centred around athletic kids(e.g. mainly sports EC’s) and I am not athletic. And the ones that have leadership positions available are generally based on popularity. How do I counteract this and still look competitive?</p>
<p>@Impr176pk - Thank you! Results day tom <em>le stress</em> .</p>
<p>But yeah. I’ll be creating another ‘chance’ thread soon once i get my results. Ill post the link on here so if any of u wanna help out please check it out x </p>
That is really worrying. I was going for the 2100-ish mark? </p>
</p>
Ah, I don’t have many EC’s either- could you give me some ideas as to what I could do? </p>