<p>Currently a freshman in New York University CAS</p>
<p>High School Record
GPA- 3.7 Unweighted
ACT- 33
SAT- 1950
SATII- 680,690 (Literature, U.S. History)
ECs- Varsity Wrestling (Captain)
Varsity Swimming
Community Service at Food Shelters (150+ Hours)
Japanese Weekend Language School
Piano and Guitar
Worked at Japanese Grocery Store</p>
<p>College Record
GPA- 3.85
Recommendation 1- Good to Very Good
Recommendation 2- Very Good
ECs- Asian Cultural Union (just a generic Asian club)
Alpha Phi Omega Coed Service Fraternity
International Relations Association</p>
<p>Colleges to Transfer to</p>
<p>Pomona College
Claremont Mckenna College
Pitzer College
UPenn
Columbia</p>
<p>*a little side note- I don’t know if this will mean anything/improve my chances and I definitely won’t make the mistake of assuming that it will, but maybe one thing that might (I hope) look good is that I took Chinese and Japanese language classes simultaneously last semester, got my A’s in those, got my good recommendations from the teachers of these classes, and I also plan on majoring in East Asian studies(meaning my GPA for all major related classes would be a 4.0)</p>
<p>Questions</p>
<li><p>If it’s possible to estimate chances for transfer at these schools, a task I understand isn’t exactly easy, what are mine?</p></li>
<li><p>Would it be within my best interest to not send in my SAT(II+I) scores?</p></li>
<li><p>My midterm grade report will probably report, worst case scenario, around a 3.5. How much will this hurt me? (I can raise it by the end of the semester,I am just a little bogged down with these applications right now)</p></li>
</ol>
<p>About your side note, are you a native Japanese speaker? If so, was the Japanese language class that you took last semester a higher level course like literature or something?</p>
<p>Unless required by the school, just send the ACT.</p>
<p>Don't worry too much about the midterm grades.</p>
<p>Thanks for the response. While I am of half Chinese and Japanese descent, I am actually not a native Japanese speaker nor a Chinese one (long story, will write about it in essay).
In high school I was required to take Spanish, but I studied Japanese on my own time which tremendously helped to prepare me for the Japanese course I took.
Another question- does it mean anything that I also tested into a higher level Spanish course? (Placement test, not AP score) I ask because its my only evidence that I took a different language in high school, and therefore didn't simply skate through Chinese and Japanese.</p>
<p>I totally understand about not learning Japanese or Chinese at home. I'm not sure I understand your question about the Spanish--you studied it in HS, then tested into a higher level in college, won't your HS Spanish classes show on your HS transcript? And it sounds like your essay will explain how you studied Japanese on your own in HS and are continuing it and starting Chinese in college. You can also use the "Other information" part of the application to explain why you are taking a certain level of language, my D did this as she had special circumstances too.</p>
<p>Though I did take Spanish in high school and my transcript shows it, the only way I can legitimately prove that I had achieved something in my study of the language is my ability to test into higher classes. Otherwise an admissions officer would have no idea what went on in these Spanish classes, rightfully so.</p>
<p>Oh and about the special circumstances, should I just make it clear that I was raised speaking English? Learning to speak languages at home and becoming proficient that way is very different from actively self-teaching yourself on your own time (I can speak more than my parents).</p>
<p>Thanks for the response. I totally understand about my detrimental SAT scores- what if I were to withhold them and only send my ACT scores?</p>
<p>I have already accepted the fact that my chances are pretty much close to nothing, which is fine because I just don't want to regret not applying this year. But what about the LAC's? I'm a bit more set on those.</p>
<p>Your ACT is very solid and you're definitely in a better position sending those in. Your SAT IIs are very weak and are slightly more important as a freshman, as you have such a short college record. Other than those, I see no substantial weaknesses in your profile.</p>
<p>Taku,
IMO it is important to establish that you were raised speaking English, as there are instances (both in HS and college) where people take classes for a language in which they are native speakers in order to help their gpa. And I'm not referring to literature or history class, which are legitimate. I feel the same way about native speakers taking the SAT subject test in their language, they may get a high score, but it really wouldn't impress me much if I were an AO.</p>
<p>Some applications do ask you which language(s) you spoke while growing up, if yours don't, it would be appropriate to note it in the Other Information section.</p>
<p>Thanks to you as well. I am just a little confused as to what I should actually be sending (ACT + SATIIs vs. ACT alone)</p>
<p>The Columbia Transfer Application Instructions state that
"* must take or have taken the SAT Reasoning Test or the ACT Assessment. If * have previously taken any SAT Subject Tests then these scores must be also reported to Columbia. SAT Subject Tests are not required if you have not already taken them"</p>
<p>I'm in a bit of a quandary because I would prefer not to send my SAT II scores even though I did take them because doing so would, to my understanding, also reveal my dismal SAT I score. At the same time I would also very much prefer not to be penalized or automatically rejected because I had failed to notify colleges of my SAT scores- scores that I did take and that I did not send and that this somehow became knowledge to Admissions (I have no idea how this would happen, but I just want to play it safe).</p>
<p>Thanks again for the responses- they're helpful for sure.</p>
<p>You should be admitted to Pitzer. Claremont Mckenna is more difficult. Columbia, Penn & Pomona are unlikely but worth a try due to your linguistic ability. Some schools require SAT IIs which will reveal your SAT I scores as well. ACT is better than the SAT I score, and many schools which require SAT II scores will substitute the ACT with writing for the SAT IIs. The discrepancy between the SAT I scores and the ACT score is not surprising as the SAT I test is primarily an IQ test, while the ACT is primarily a learned abilities test. (Please note that I wrote "primarily" as I realize that elements of both appear on each test.)</p>
<p>Thanks for the response. What am I supposed to do if the college asks for SAT IIs had they been taken? I have taken them, as you can see they aren't exactly good scores, would the colleges know this regardless of me sending them?</p>