<p>Yeah, as someone alluded to earlier, SAT's don't mean jack..The SAT isn't a reflection of ones intelligence, but rather ones guessing ability. It's great that you got a 1600, but there are other things that go into getting into college. In my opinion, SAT's are of least importance and I would say volunteer work and extracurricular activites are most important</p>
<p>GuyMan I'm assuming u didnt do so good on your SAT :P
Volunteer and Extracurricular is usually at the lowest level when it comes to being accepted. Sure they help alot. But SATs, GPA, Rank, Recommendations and Essays are more important at the majority of the schools in the US. YOu can check this by going to many college homepages and do alittle research, </p>
<p>SAT overall is a reflection of ones intelligence. It is very rare that someone will guess on all the questions adn get a higher score than someone who is smarter than them.</p>
<p>SAT's are very practical, they are how real life scenarios work. It gives everyone an equal chance at getting a good score, now its just down to how smart you are overall. In real life, you often only get 1 shot at things, SAT's are the same. This way colleges can see that "Oh this guy has a 3.2 gpa, but is ranked in top 10% and has a score of 1550. Which is better than the 3.9 gpa student who ranks in top 25% and scores a 1300 on the SAT". It will allow colleges to tell how rigorious the HS the studies at your High school are.</p>
<p>I'm sorry, but I am going to have to disagree with you. Although colleges do look at SAT's as if they are a life or death situation, in my opinion, the SAT is nothing but a useless test. I for one can tell you that I didn't do so hot on the SAT. In fact, my best score was a 1080 (650m/430v). Now you would probably think that with a 430 verbal, I would be weak in the english department. Not so. As a writer for a very popular magazine and local newspaper, I believe english/verbal is one of my strongest assets. Also, a test isn't going to serve as a testament to your overall intelligence and this is where EC's and volunteer work come into play.</p>
<p>sat's arent a big deal (GREAT JOB) but still, a lot of school know that lots of practice = 1600. However, you need to say a little more about ECs. The way i see it, you've done a bunch of ECs but haven't excelled in many of them, you know? I know about bournvita quiz contest - and unless you are in very top (ie regional level, national level), you will have a tough time.</p>
<p>Good community service, it seems. Project work/research isn't a big deal if you haven't done it, i think - since they know not everyone has that opportunity. if you can do it, do some research. make sure it's not silly/extravagant research (ie "Cancer and Diabetes research" since colleges know that very few people accomplish much in cancer research.. .come on, big pharma spends billions on cancer and some dinky HS student can actually help them?)</p>
<p>What about recs? Will they write godo stuff for you?</p>
<p>Academics: how will you do in CET exam? How did you do in SSLC/10th grade exam?</p>
<p>Also, refrain from using terminology like "vast extracurriculars" - your ECs aren't bad, but they aren't vast or amazing. 3rd prize in table-tennis isn't exactly amazing, sorry - who knows how good people in your school are... and colleges can't be sure that you're telling the truth either, if it's all in school.</p>
<p>Good luck</p>
<p>UPENN is mediocre? what are you smoking? its ranked the 4th best school in the country, and its a very GOOD school...</p>
<p>Yes..UPenn is a very good school, but It's in the middle of the city (I live very close to philly so i know)..so unless your going to college strictly for the education then I doubt you'll like it there..I was going to apply there, but for $30k a year + med school, it's a bit too much</p>
<p>30k a year isnt that much...as harvard and other comparable schools charge just as much. besides, philly is a great city, and i bet because it's in philly, more people are attracted to UPenn. NYU charges 40,000 and gives crap financial aid, but you still see so many people going. overall UPenn is a great school.</p>
<p>i wouldn't say ECs are the most important. If i were to rank i'd say GPA, SAT1/SATII scores, ECs, Essay, and finally Recs. that's just my opinion. because the applicants at the super competitive schools all have similar GPA and SAT scores, ECs and the essays count a lot more too.</p>
<p>I took a visit to UPenn a few weeks ago and see the campus almost every week..It's a beautiful campus for being in the city, but not much goes on..I mean parties are a rarity (unless they are school organized) and unless your city/street smart, I wouldn't advise walkin out over the city</p>
<p>Community College</p>
<p>Thanks everyone,
however I have posted another thread on</p>
<p>CC's "College Search & Selection"</p>
<p>since I have not yet decided on the list of colleges to guess any chances for admission to them !</p>
<p>wait.. u're applying in 2006...
u will be required to take the NEW SAT... so i wonder if your 1600 will still stand...</p>
<p>"Dartmouth, Brown, Colombia, U Penn..."</p>
<p>You're right. The only schools that are even worth considering are HYPSM. All other people should take blue collar jobs and forego college. You are the brightest mind of our generation and I bow to you, my lord.</p>
<p>"I mean parties are a rarity"</p>
<p>Huh? Parties happen here all of the time! Trust me...just cause you're a high schooler that lives near Philly (as I did) it doesn't mean you really know anything about the school. I can name 10 parties that are happening tonight...so if you like partying, Penn can satisfy that urge. If you like serious academics, Penn has that too.</p>
<p>Yes, Penn does host quite a few parties, but compared to other schools, they aren't much. And yes, I do know about the school. I have many friends that attend the school and I am in around campus almost every weekend.</p>
<p>gunman, I can see where you're coming from, and I agree with part of it.
However, scoring high on a SAT is usually the only option for most students to be invited to apply for top notch schools. Other ways a top school will invite you is through good athletics or a nationally recognized talent or your family are alumni (and a few more, less common methods).<br>
Generally with a high SAT score, you statistically have a better chance, here is an example (not real numbers)</p>
<h2>Harvard</h2>
<p>1600 SAT- 33% chance
1580 SAT- 30%
1560 SAT- 25%
1540 SAT- 20%
1520 SAT- 15%
1500 SAT- 10%</p>
<p>and will just slowly deminish as you score lower (statistically).</p>
<p>GuyMan I have trouble taking you seriously...</p>
<p>One you say Penn is over-priced and that's what stopped you from applying...but you scored a 1080 on your SATs (350 points lower than Penn's average). And I'm not sure what you mean by "they throw a lot of parties, but compared to other schools, they aren't much." They throw a lot of parties...period. It's not PSU where most of the student body lives to party, but it's probably one of the most social "elite" schools.</p>
<p>I agree with enviro, i think you have abit of anger left over, maybe from your own application experiences. However Penn is one of the best schools in this nation, and SAT's will play a large part in applying. (as mentioned in my above post ;))</p>
<p>I am really not so desperate to get into top 10 programmes and end up without fin aid</p>
<p>I agree, a full ride at a school is better than going to another school paying full tuition, even if its better. Going to a good school only gives you an additional push (and extra prestige ;)) when you leave college and get your first job. After that, it is up to you to show them what you're worth.</p>
<p>Alright-</p>
<p>Tsunami doesn't know what he's talking about, and Guymanboy is clearly extremely bitter over the fact that he can't perform well on SATs. To the OP- a 1600 certainly sets you apart, and no matter what they say, a 1600 certainly proves you have exceptional intellectual abilities. While not everyone smart scores high, everyone who scores that high certainly has a distinguished degree of intelligence. You've got a decent shot at any school you choose, and you'd certainly get some amazing merit aid at schools out of the top 10-20.</p>