High GPA, great essays, great recommendations, good ECs but terrible SAT score!

Chance Me / Match Me!
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<p>I am an international student looking for a suitable college/university in the US.</p>

<p>I have an unweighted GPA of 3.94 on a scale of 4.0.</p>

<p>My academic achievements include -</p>

<p>The Trustees' Award for Best Overall Development in Academics and Co-curricular Activities (received certificate and scholarship/cash prize)
Class Topper- Rank 2nd among 120 students
Topper in economics in the entire school</p>

<p>My extra-curricular achievements include (the opportunities here are limited)-</p>

<p>Freelance writer.
Purple-stripe belt in karate
Table Tennis player
Badminton player
Involved with the school magazine
Participation in inter-school quizzes, competitions, debates, etc
Participation in creative writing workshops
Regular community service (I teach underprivileged children)
Class Representative (Student Government)
Co-founder of Debate Society</p>

<p>Work Experience-</p>

<p>Freelance reporter for a popular newspaper.
Junior Accountant.
Part of two NGOs- Coordinator of one (international) and part of the governing body of another (national).
I have also started a small distributorship business of mine.</p>

<p>SAT-</p>

<p>CR/Verbal- 620 (National percentile 84%)
Math- 570 (National percentile 67%)
Writing- 560 (National percentile 72%)</p>

<p>I know these are terrible terrible scores..I genuinely wasn't expecting this (even though it was my first attempt, that too without any formal preparation)! I'm really finding it difficult to believe that I'm such a terrible test taker! It's even more surprising because people who perform terribly in Math and English at school (especially in the case of this guy who can hardly communicate in English properly) have received higher scores on Math and Writing!</p>

<p>I have applied to some really good colleges, but I doubt if they would now accept me.
Could you please name a few colleges/universities (to the ones I still have time to apply) that might take me? I'm just looking for a decent school that would offer me a generous financial aid package, that's it. This is the only criterion. I shall transfer to a top notch college after 1 or 2 years.</p>

<p>Btw, I intend to major in English and Theatre/Acting (I don't really think I would want to continue with Economics any more). </p>

<p>Any suggestion would be immensely appreciated. Also, would attending a Community College (in California) be a good option?</p>

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<p>Bump…</p>

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<p>Have some confidence, man! My SAT scores are pretty darn bad too, but you have a great GPA and some okay extra-curriculars. Highlight the important ones like the business you started, and your leadership roles in your clubs. SATs aren’t everything IMHO. I think you have a good shot at any school to which you apply (granted it isn’t Stanford, Harvard… haha). I think you should try for state schools in California.</p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/862774-nyu-tisch-chances.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/862774-nyu-tisch-chances.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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<p>Do you need financial aid?</p>

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<p>Thanks for the reassurance, garygl2 :slight_smile: ! I’ve applied to A LOT of colleges/universities, namely Vanderbilt, Middlebury (no chance here, I suppose), Hamilton, Mount Holyoke (SAT optional), Bard (SAT optional), Connecticut (SAT optional), Occidental, Brandeis, HWS, Centre, Reed, Rhodes, Franklin & Marshall, USC, Washington and Lee, and Denison.</p>

<p>I realized I had missed the deadlines for the California State Universities, hence I applied to Marymount Manhattan College, Pace University and a few others (safeties).</p>

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<p>Yes, I do need financial aid, Omega007 :frowning: . That’s basically what the thread is all about.</p>

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<p>I live in NY, so you’re definitely in to Pace University! Hamilton is a great college too. I’m sure some schools that aren’t so big are dying for an internationally diverse student so you should check those out too.</p>

<p>Do you think you could give my thread a look if you have some time? :slight_smile:
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/862774-nyu-tisch-chances.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/862774-nyu-tisch-chances.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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<p>Yup, I’ve had a look at your thread :)</p>

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<p>Anyone else?</p>

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<p>Bump…</p>

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<p>I’m going to be really blunt here, but that SAT score is really going to hurt you in places that require it, especially as an international student needing aid.</p>

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<p>Also, transferring to a top notch college as an international student requiring aid is next to impossible, just to warn you. However, you might be set at places like Pace and maybe Rhodes/Centre. How much aid they’ll give you is the question though.</p>

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<p>Paradox, I think you’re right. Do you think it would be a good idea for me to defer my admission to Spring 2011? In the meantime, I could work on my SAT score and even try to make my GPA a perfect one. Moreover, there are chances that I might not be needing financial aid if I join in 2011 (due to reasons here and there).</p>

<p>Could anyone please provide me with a list of top notch colleges that offer admission in Spring (freshman)?</p>

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<p>dont worry, about sat score,you cant change not, you have a good gpa and nice ec’s and it seems you work hard! good luck :)</p>

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<p>Why don’t you take a year off and apply to colleges for Fall 2011? Work on your SAT/SAT IIs (since you gave it just one shot) and perhaps gain more world experience. Not to mention, it’ll be a refreshing break from the academic rigamarole. That seems the best option. Also, if you definitely don’t need aid come 2011, you could try transferring once in the US because if you don’t need aid, transfers are much easier. In any case, you’ll need to give the SAT again because colleges look at it even for transfers-not as closely, but still 1750 is a risk and I’m sure if you give yourself more time and preparation, you’ll do much better. If you get in at Pace with the aid you require though, that’ll be great. I don’t know too much about Rhodes/Centre etc., but Pace, I hear is great for Theatre.</p>

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<p>Well, Pace is good…but it certainly isn’t my first choice. Can’t I simply defer my present applications to be considered for admission in Spring '11 instead of Fall '10?</p>

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<p>Well no, unless of course, you are accepted and want to defer your entry to the college. You’ll have to file fresh applications with your final results and updated test scores. Also, in the top tier, most colleges do not offer the option of applying for a Spring Session, so you’ll have to end up applying for Fall 2011. From the ones I know, Middlebury and Hamilton have Spring entry, but there’s no separate application timetable for it, ie. it has to meet the Fall application deadlines. In any case, you can e-mail colleges to see if there’s anything you can do to be considered for Spring Entry. I would strongly recommend applying afresh for Fall 2011 though.</p>

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<p>I mean… SATs are really important for the more competitive schools despite the other high points of your application.
It will take you out of the running for some schools but others are more understanding and place less emphasis on the SATs.
Applying to SAT optional schools was really smart and your SATs could be worse, theyre just incongruous with the rest of your application.</p>

<p>You’ll be fine! I dont think community college would be challenging enough honestly.</p>

<p>Chance back? <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/864947-final-chance-thread-i-promise-will-chance-back.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/864947-final-chance-thread-i-promise-will-chance-back.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;