Good GPA/Courseload/ECs. HORRIBLE SATs! How much can I improve?

Applying to College
1

<p>I just received my first SAT scores a few hours ago, and boy was I disappointed. Since freshman year, I was aiming for schools like UChicago, Georgetown, UPenn and Columbia. </p>

<p>I am a junior now. I have a 4.0 UW GPA so far(don't have weighted in our school), and am enrolled as a full IB diploma student(with 4 HLs) in an int'll school in Shanghai. My final GPA at the end of HS looks to drop to perhaps 3.7-3.9, since I doubt I can really maintain 4.0 through IB.</p>

<p>I have a good amount of ECs. I volunteer at various service organisations, spent a wonderful summer abroad in Africa volunteering, am starting my own microfinance organisation in the school, and was on the student council two years running. I am poised to be the Head Boy(head prefect) for my school, and have started a radio station that made it into a large urban newspaper (The Shanghai Daily - I live in Shanghai), I have also been a guest writer for the Shanghai Daily representing the same Radio. I was selected out of all of the Juniors in Shanghai to be a part of a group 30 volunteers for an international NGO. I have been on both the Debating and MUN teams, and have participated in numerous international conferences. I also swim, and spent a year on the school's X-Country team before quitting due to stress. I also have loads of summer programs at places like Phillips academy andover, university of denver and stuff like that.</p>

<p>Etc etc etc. I know they're basically generic run-of-the-mill ECs, but I have alot of them, love them, and have many leadership positions. Unfortunately I have no hooks, so this is why I'm so distressed about my SATs:</p>

<p>I got 1960/2400. CR 610, M 670, W 680. For UChicago and Georgetown this would be 1280/1600, which is WAY below what I need to actually stand a chance. The 25th percentile for Columbia SAT scores is something like 2150.</p>

<p>Do you think it would be realistic for someone to go from 1960 to maybe 2100+? I really think I'm pretty bright, but the SAT seems impossible. I'm still a Junior, so I have time. But I've heard your SATs basically don't budge more than 30 points on your 2nd time. Can someone with 1960 get into UChicago/Columbia? </p>

<p>Thanks for all your help. I really need this advice.</p>

2

<p>Yes, 610-670-680 is “low” for Penn, Columbia, Chicago and Georgetown.
You are a junior so you will have plenty of chances to improve your score. </p>

<p>“But I’ve heard your SATs basically don’t budge more than 30 points on your 2nd time.”</p>

<p>Not true.
Many people improve more than 100 points without additional prep.</p>

<p>Good luck to you!</p>

<p>BTW, you also need to take 2 or 3 SAT IIs.</p>

3

<p>Some students don’t improve at all no matter how many times they take it. Others have shown improvement of 100 points or more per section. Most probably fall somewhere in between.</p>

<p>You haven’t said what you have done to prepare for the test. Many US students, especially those who plan on going to elite schools take SAT prep classes or are tutored for the SAT. While this is certainly not necessary for a motivated student, most top students at least get the SAT prep books and spend significant time prepping for the test. If you’ve done this already, … never mind. If not, you should definitely do so.</p>

<p>Also, based on what other international students have posted, you may be starting at a disadvantage. Quite simply put, I have heard that US students take this kind of standardized test throughout their lives and are more familiar with the style of testing.</p>

<p>Finally, if it is practical consider the ACT. Much of your SAT preparation will carry over, and many students do better on this test than the SAT (there are differences in style that play into some students strengths). The colleges you mention all say that they give the ACT equal weight to the SAT, so it’s another alternative for you.</p>

4

<p>Thanks to both of you!</p>

<p>And yes, Zephyr, as an international the SAT is quite frustrating. We almost never do multiple choice questions here, and the CR sections are quite confusing.</p>

<p>I have not taken an SAT prep class, but many of my friends do. I’ve heard many times on this website that they are useless and so I’d much rather just buy the books. What do you think about prep classes? I prepared lightly with Barron’s SAT book, but haven’t done any practice tests.</p>

<p>And is it really possible to improve 100+, considering I’m starting from a 2000 point? Does it happen often, or is it more of a miracle?</p>

5

<p>If you are now a junior, it is simply worth it to keep trying. The first one may not be representative of what you can score. Also, if you can afford Africa and several expensive summer programs, certainly your family can afford a prep class. Why take the chance you can re-study from a book only, when your grades and activities make you a legit applicant to these top schools? Go for it. And, when the college reps are in your area, meet them. I don’t know how many schools send reps to Shanghai, but see if you can go to meetings with reps from top schools and get some perspective on what they look for in intl candidates.</p>

6

<p>Well, it’s easier to go from 1600 to 1900 than from 1900 to 2200, so point taken.</p>

<p>Significant increases (100 pointers) are not the norm, but they are not rare either.</p>

<p>If you have prepared lightly, I think that you have a better chance to bring the score up significantly than most. At the very least, get the review books and practice, practice practice.</p>

<p>Prep classes help some students more than others. It largely depends on how self motivated you are.</p>

7

<p>You can definitely do it if you study. You’re a junior, so you still have time. Just study hard and from your grades I’m guessing you have potential to improve to get the score you want.</p>

<p>When I took the PSAT in 10th grade, I got 198. When I took it in 11th, I got 218. When I took the actual SAT last March, I got 2330. It’s a big difference, and all it took was preparation in between.</p>

<p>I now help run a peer tutoring company for the SATs. My last kid went up 220 points in the only 7 one hour-sessions he had with me. By having a good attitude and working hard he pulled off a better score. So can you.</p>

8

<p>try ACT …</p>

9

<p>since you’re a junior you have time.</p>

<p>when i was a junior i got 1960 on my first try; same as you</p>

<p>didn’t study at all and a year later now i have a 2230, 2280 super scored.</p>

<p>dont sweat it</p>

10

<p>You live in China? I’m pretty sure there are tons of SAT prep places there. The classes really helped me because they tell you a lot of tricks and ways to approach questions etc. You should definitely consider it.</p>

11

<p>Hi DubYaWhy, I am a Chinese-American parent of child whose diagnostic score started similar to yours and attained 2200+ scores with one good SAT Prep class in Calif. Many of her classmates did also, mostly with prep class or private tutor who review material, test-taking strategies, and can quickly provide more example questions that focus on the weakest areas. At the higher-level of scores e.g. 2200+, every question right or missed counts for more points. You will find there are many options; some better than others, so ask around for recommendations of courses and/or books; in most cases, you get what you pay for.</p>

<p>It helped my child a lot to take diag test, prep course, actual tests (SAT, SAT2, ACT), and also visit colleges (Calif, and east coast) with interviewing during April/ summers before junior and senior years. For the selective colleges you target, a positive interview will absolutely make a difference. If interviewing in China, or even coming to USA (for prep class and visiting colleges an option), I recommend you prep and do it. I am wondering if a service providing including guidance, room&board, college visits planning assistance, etc… would be helpful to students and families like yours. (I came to USA as a highschool foreign student, attended college living at school at age 16, then worked eventually settling here, so I understand the journey and challenges as a foreign-student. Having walked this college selection and application process for myself and these 2 years with my child, I enjoy using my experience to help other young people/ families.)</p>

<p>College prep/ applications/ admissions is much more competitive than even 10 years ago, but there are over 3500 colleges in USA, many excellent choices and it will work out well. My advice is do not get mentally stuck only on top-brand-name schools, which are often outstanding for graduate/PhD programs but not necessarily as great for undergrads as many use teaching assistants and can have large class sizes. Ultimately what you learn and accomplish at your college definitely outweighs its brand-name. I know (being of Chinese descent) that Asians are status-conscious, but you will find this is true, so define your college goals, area/ subject interests, personal requirements for optimal learning (structure vs. freedom in curriculum; diversity; large or small student body; big or small campus; urban or rural or sub-urban; admission rates into grad or professional school; etc…), and then target your colleges to apply to based on that. For example, I was amazed to find Tier 1 excellent colleges that award need-based scholarships for foreign-students! Choose your target colleges using your own criteria, vs. them choosing you for GPA/SAT numbers and tuition. Best wishes and good luck!</p>