<p>Hi guys!
I am an international economics 1st year student looking for studying in U.S. I entered the SAT on 9 March and it was pretty good (at least math was good which I expect to be 800 and admission officers in NYU told me that what they really focus on is Math since I am from a non english speaking country). I expect my critical reading and writing to be around 550-650 respectively. I rely on my math skills and I am going to enter Sat Subject Tests Math 1&2 . If I get 800 on both of them too, how do you think it will affect my chances to get into a top university (Cornell, Columbia, NYU, Penn are some of my options)? My high school gpa isn't perfect but good. Do you think getting three 800s on Math Tests increases my chances in a serious way? And what would you suggest me to do more ? I really need your help. Thank you!</p>
<p>It can’t hurt but you can probably get 700 on writing of you study hard!</p>
<p>–Atypical Asian–</p>
<p>Hmmm. For International I would think that Math would be the least important. BTW an Econ major doesn’t need great math skills. (As compared to an Engineer).</p>
<p>It could help but you can always take the SAT again to get your other scores up as well. If your scores are what you predict though you can get into other schools if you have thre rest of the package (great EC’s, recommendations, etc.)</p>
<p>Don’t take both Math Level 1 and 2. That’s the dictionary definition of pointless.</p>
<p>Why is it pointless?</p>
<p>^Because colleges only consider one math Subject test. </p>
<p>The Math 1 has easier material but a tougher curve. If you’re accomplished at math, you should just take the Math 2.</p>
<p>sosomenza: No, for internationals they usually focus on Math unless they come from an English-speaking country. They expect good scores on CR and W, but they’re more lenient with low-ish scores (“low” as in 600, not 500) because they know it’s harder for native speakers.</p>
<p>OP: In my opinion, writing’s the easiest part of the test, especially the essay. Have you looked at the topic called “How to write a 12 essay in just 10 days”? It’s great, it increased my score from 8-9 to 11. Also, most of the questions have the same kind of grammar mistakes, so if you concentrate on those, you’ll be able to score higher.</p>
<p>The topic “How to write a 12 essay in just 10 days” is excellent! I should have looked at it earlier. What I didn’t understand is that I am from non English-speaking country. You said “No, for internationals they usually focus on Math unless they come from an English-speaking country.” So you do think they will focus on Math?</p>
<p>SAT Math and a Math Subject Test would be enough to show your competency in Math; two math subject tests is overkill. Take another subject test that is relevant to what you want to study in college.</p>
<p>And what would that subject test be for an economics student?</p>
<p>No reason to take Math I. Take Math II.</p>
<p>Sosomoza doesn’t know what he or she is talking about. An economics major needs MORE math than an engineer if they are planning to go to grad school.</p>
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<p>Economics majors planning to go to graduate school should take upper division math courses like real analysis and proof-oriented linear algebra and upper division statistics courses. These are courses that engineering majors typically do not take.</p>
<p>But yes, there is no need to take Math Level 1 if you take Math Level 2 among the SAT subject tests.</p>
<p>You need to show colleges that you can do SOMETHING besides math. Which is why they don’t really want to see 2 math subject tests. Take Math II, and pick something else you are good at. Your native language (if English is not your first language and a SATII is offered in your native language) is also not a good choice (colleges would assume you could get an 800 in that). So there are many other choices – World History, Chem, Physics, Biology, etc.</p>
<p>Thanks guys! This has been really helpful! Also I agree with ucbalumnus, Guitar500, mtguy1,: How can math not be so important for an economics major? What is more important biology?</p>
<p>Guys I need help! Please reply!</p>
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They look at all sections, but they’re generally more forgiving if your CR and W scores aren’t 800. Look at Grinnell, for example. Their Math middle 50% for internationals is 660-790, but their middle 50% for CR is 590-720. You should try to score as high as you can in all sections, though.</p>
<p>To be honest I really don’t see the point of taking both Math tests. Sure, other ones aren’t relevant to the major, but by taking Math II you’re showing colleges you can do Math. Math I really isn’t necessary. In reality, you’re just sending the other tests to fulfill requirements, since most colleges that require SAT II ask for 3.</p>
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<p>Colleges that require Subject tests generally require 2. There are very few, like maybe a couple, of schools that still ask for 3, and I think they’re just recommended, not required.</p>
<p>In fulfilling any requirements/recommendations, only Math 1 OR 2 will be counted, not both.</p>