<p>So I didn't make USAMO this year...my AMC 12 score was around 115 and my AIME score was only 6 (I should have got 8 but I made stupid addition errors...but unfortunately an 8 on AIME still would not qualify me for USAMO). I want to try again next year in my senior year - do you guys think this can help my college applications even though the USAMO qualifiers aren't determined until March, way after applications are due?</p>
<p>I'm interested in Stanford, Princeton, and Caltech, so I'm sure that they know what the USAMO is.</p>
<p>Thanks for your help</p>
<p>The general concensus is that schools make decisions up until the last minute, so something like USAMO even if it comes late could still be of benefit to you. More realistically, the main thing that is going to be judged (in time) is the AMC12, so a high score on that will definitely be reviewed; AIME results are later and may not be reviewed. So make sure you score high enough on the AMC that they think you have a good shot at qualifying for USAMO. I believe that AMC starts getting very impressive at ~120 and a score ~130 will lead them to believe you have a good shot of qualifying for USAMO, which is ALMOST as good as qualifying.</p>