<p>Heya! </p>
<p>Amherst is my dream school so naturally I want to apply ED - both to raise my chances and to save money. My brother did his BA there and although I'm technically not considered a legacy, it still counts as an alumni relation... if that helps.</p>
<p>I thought I was a perfect fit and that they would be crazy to reject me in ED. However... I took the SAT Subject tests and completely bombed them, despite the fact that I got 750+ on my practice ones. My actual results ended up being 700 Math IC and 670 Biology M -- definitely not Amherst material. I'm considering three options and I would be eternally grateful if you could give me a hand and tell me which one you believe is the best:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Apply ED with these scores. Then take the November subjects again and send new scores for Bio and Math IC, one week after the app deadline. I talked to the admissions office and they said they still consider anything sent before Dec 15th.
Pros: dream school, good chance (if I get better subject scores), saves me A LOT of money.
Cons: a lot of pressure to study for the subject tests again (I can only study for them during October, too). I could focus on my essays and keeping up my grades.
Question: If I do this, should I retake both Bio M and Math IC, or only Bio? (Consider the fact that I have only 1 month, as well)</p></li>
<li><p>Apply ED with these scores. Don't retake anything and hope they accept me with 700Math IC and 670 Bio M.
Pros: dream school, better essays.
Cons: less of a chance because of the bad SAT II.</p></li>
<li><p>Just apply RD and retake subjects in December.
Pros: 2 month of studying for the subject test(s) that I'll be retaking. Definitely better scores.
Cons: Well... RD. Way lower chances, especially if you consider all of those Ivy league ED rejects that will pool in.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>--- Here's what my actual stats are like. Do you think my good ECs, recs, essays etc can improve my chance if I remain with these low subject scores?</p>
<p>GPA: 3.86 UW
SAT I: approx ~2100 total - 700 each.
SAT II: Biology M 670, Math IC 700
Status: International student
Very good recs, the teachers and counsellor love me.
Common app essay about my transition from daddy's little girl to an strong woman after his death by facing my fear of not being able to swim. I wouldn't go into the water without holding my dad's hand, but I later faced my fear and learnt to swim on my own with the idea that learning that would be like... finally letting go and turning into the adult I'm supposed to be.
Family income <$5K per year. I'm in foster care with my grandmother.</p>
<p>ACADEMIC HONORS AND AWARDS
-3rd in national olympiad in English (10th grade)
-top 10 finalist for national olympiad (11th grade) but was unable to attend
-Top 16 (unranked) in national creative writing competition in English
-Distinction as best in school and municipality in English
-Picked by politician/journalist for his merit scholarship
-Honorary mention by the European Commission as a runner up with an outstanding EN-BG translation in the Juvenes Translatores competition for secondary schools in Europe
-Won St. Valentine's Day themed English poetry contest</p>
<p>LEADERSHIP / EXTRACURRICULAR / VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES</p>
<p>People to People International (9-12) - Chapter Secretary
StudyUSA Club (11-12) - Founder and President [organize presentations about American education, history, economy, lit, etc,; got in contact with school alumni from US to host lectures]
School Newspaper (9-12) - Treasurer and writer
Youth Red Cross (10-12) - Volunteer
English For the Talented Club (11) - [founded by the ministry of education after my achievement in the national olympiad]
Annually organize the school's alumni reunion (9-12)
Annually organize the school's chemistry fair (9-12)
Annually volunteer in the organization of the city's open nights of Museums and Galleries (10-12)
Throughout 11th grade: Wrote 50-page historical research about the tobacco-workers' outcry in 1940. Submitted it to a national research competition: results are due June 2014</p>
<p>WORK EXPERIENCE</p>
<p>Unpaid internship as a secretary in International Cooperative Alliance (summer before senior year) - organize transportation during their trips, translate to English, etc.</p>
<p>INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE</p>
<p>International cultural exchange in Germany through "Comenius" program
International cultural exchange in The Netherlands, through "Netherlands-Romania" foundation</p>