<p>I got some pretty decent scores in math(700) and critical reading(660) but only a 520 in writing (maybe it was 540. I don't quite remember, but low 500s). But anyway, how would an admissions person look at that? a critical downfall or more of a little thorn?</p>
<p>If you’re looking at top-tier colleges, retake the SAT- the other two scores aren’t quite high enough.
They are somewhat required to say that they “respect” the Writing component, but I think they see it as more of a subjective joke of a test. Nonetheless, study up, because if you can get those other scores, you can probably raise the Writing at least 100 points.</p>
<p>I would say not much. Barely any schools count the writing section apart of your SAT (Only like the top 30 schools). For around 92% of schools, they only use a 1600 scale (CR=Math)</p>
<p>“If you’re looking at top-tier colleges, retake the SAT- the other two scores aren’t quite high enough.”</p>
<p>yeah I understand that but I don’t want to overload myself with the stress of another SAT test. I’ve already taken it twice. My first one I only got an 1160 out of 1600. So I’m absolutely content with the 200 point improvement in the second try. I’ll admit it… I’m simply not top-tier material. I’m good, but not a stud. I appreciate your feedback a ton! keep it comin.</p>
<p>Hmm…well, what kinds of schools are you looking at? SAT scores aren’t the only thing that matters. If the SAT is a big stress (like for everyone) then it is very wise not to put yourself through it again. :)</p>
<p>Well I’m going into nuclear engineering. So I have an aright variety of “difficulties” of schools. I’m going to apply to schools like MIT and U of Michigan just because I don’t want to look back 20 years from now and say “what if?”. I don’t expect much out of 'em but I just don’t want that regret later in life of not atleast throwing a bone out there. The schools I expect to have more of a chance to get into are like Texas A&M and Purdue. And then a fallback of VCU (I know its a no name school for engineering but I live right by it. So its the perfect fallback). </p>
<p>Here’s the chance thread I made. So far, it has only reassured my thinking.</p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/739342-will-combination-slight-blemishes-screw-me-over.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/739342-will-combination-slight-blemishes-screw-me-over.html</a></p>
<p>If you go to a California HS, then CalTech will accept 2-3 kids automatically from your school. Nobody knows this, its kind of a UC-style thing, but its true. Last cycle, only 2 kids applied from y old school and obviously they got in. Its a fantastic opportunity for a fantastic school. Otherwise you seem to be spot-on in your analysis.</p>
<p>no I’m from VA. The only school in VA that offers some sort of nuclear thing is VCU. And thats only a Nuclear sticker on a Mechanical Engineering certificate. So I’m kinda screwed with being in VA… unfortunately.</p>
<p>Hm. Well, I would apply to Cal Tech anyways. People that belong at MIT usually apply there as well. But yeah, definitely apply to Purdue and A+M as safeties.</p>
<p>They don’t offer nuclear engineering… and I’m set on nuclear.</p>
<p>:(
I know everyone says this, but maybe you should start college and see where it takes you instead of being hell-bent on something before you go. Like 95% of students change their mind. There are so many different fields of study!</p>
<p>Anyways, I really hope you do well…and that you get where you want to be in the end! Good luck! :D</p>
<p>yeah right now im considering going into mechanical engineering first and then nuclear for grad school. I also want to study in Germany too. Maybe as a study-abroad option. I just don’t know… there are SOOOO many options, and darn good options too. Its really hard choosing what you think will be “perfect”. But in the end I know I can’t complain because no matter what option I pick, it is would be considered “succesful”.</p>
<p>Thx for all of your input. I appreciate you taking time out of your day to help me out.</p>
<p>Anytime! What I’ve learned over time is that if you go to a good school, you’re essentially going to be given myriad (more like infinite!) possibilities. Even if your school doesn’t offer a major in Shoelaces and Bubblegum, they’ll probably bend over backwards to create something for you. Often, professors spent 14 years passionately researching Shoelaces and Bubblegum, and they’d LOVE to work with you on furthering your passion for it. See where I’m going? College is a great time to expand yourself, and these universities are dedicated to just that. Just because they don’t have an established program doesn’t mean that they won’t help you make it. What’s cooler: I went to a college that really didn’t fit me because they had a major in Shoelaces and Bubblegum OR I went to a college that was ideal, except they didn’t offer my major, but together we allocated our resources to create my ideal program of choice. Which looks better on a resume for grad school or a job? I don’t know, I’ll take a wild guess…</p>
<p>“If you go to a California HS, then CalTech will accept 2-3 kids automatically from your school.”</p>
<p>Where do you get this information? Caltech is extremely selective. They have a freshman class of around 250 students. There has got to be at least 1000 high schools in California. It’s not mathematically possible. They couldn’t even accomodate every California student, let alone accept anyone from anywhere else.</p>
<p>At our local high school 6 kids applied last year, one got in. They rejected two kids with over 2350 SATs and 5.0 GPA.</p>
<p>Hm, they may have some minimum basis of selection like ELC with the UC’s, or a select number of schools. I know that LAUSD schools/the LACCD are very good about getting these deals with schools. They’re also very good about keeping them quiet so that counselors can hand pick students to forward to CalTech.</p>
<p>I KNOW this, because my counselor told me, and she’s one of the best counselors in the state (yet, she works at a consistently number 90-115 ranked school). She personally referred these students and knows in detail, the aspects of the arrangement/program.</p>
<p>For all I know, it only applies to certain schools in the local context. I should’ve held back a little to say “certain California schools”, because she told me in similar words that same thing. </p>
<p>I’m sure they can reject someone if they just SUCK, even with a deal like this, which would make the counselor referral make sense. Unfortunately, I know kids from about 3 schools (in the area) who know about this program. So I wouldn’t be surprised if it was an area-only thing, as CalTech is relatively close by, and we don’t get many people interested in the school from around here. So, in conclusion, I don’t know the nitty gritty details, but I’m sure this isn’t just an underhanded thing (As my counselor would never do something like that). If you’re interested, I’m sure you can ask around. But it sounds like your school doesn’t do it anyways.</p>
<p>On a second note, your math is skewed. About 3500 apply, 700 get in and 37% matriculate. There is a little more room for such programs with these statistics. If these kids had such inflated grades, I feel sorry for them, because such grade inflations don’t end up reflecting well on the student. </p>
<p>If and when I find more information, preferably with more than a word of mouth source (internet link maybe?), I’d be happy to forward it to you. It doesn’t check for me to be bsing for any reason, as I myself am not interested in the school or its programs. I’m only here to give unbiased information.</p>
<p>I agree with beatfreaks. Most colleges assess you based on your CR and Math sections, the score out of 1600.</p>
<p>I would retake it once more, just to see if you can improve it.
:)</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>"If and when I find more information, preferably with more than a word of mouth source (internet link maybe?), "</p>
<p>If you find an official link, please post it. Sorry, I just don’t believe this. But if you post something official, obviously that would be great, and I’d have to admit I am incorrect. Until I see something like that, it’s just another made up thing on the internet. Obviously, what you wrote at first was not correct, now you have tried to qualify it but what you are saying here is incredibly vague.</p>
<p>"About 3500 apply, 700 get in and 37% matriculate. "</p>
<p>That’s still nowhere near enough spaces for any meaningful agreement like the one you are talking about. I live in Palos Verdes, an affluent suburb of Los Angeles with a top 100 high school (Palos Verdes Peninsula High School - look it up.) If you believe there is grade inflation at this school, the Ivy League schools that accepted these Caltech rejects didn’t seem to have the same opinion. And apparently their extreme grade inflation didn’t stop them from getting near perfect SATs.</p>
<p>As I said, last year only one of six students got in, and none of them “sucked” as you put it. It is impossbile for me to believe that if such a program exists the counselors at this high school would not know about it.</p>
<p>When you post something like this you need to be certain, and you need to be accurate because I am sure there are some kids who take this stuff extremely seriously.</p>
<p>"When you post something like this you need to be certain, and you need to be accurate because I am sure there are some kids who take this stuff extremely seriously. "</p>
<p>I agree that things need to be accurate but there is another side to the coin. If any kids believe everything they read on here then they’re idiots. I have no problem calling them out. EVERYONE knows that it doesn’t matter what you hear/read… you always have to take everything with a grain of salt. And in my case it doesn’t even matter. I don’t live in CA! There is no way that situation applies to me. But anyway, if his counselor mentioned such a scenario then he has every right to mention it and see what comes of it. But it is also your right, as the community, to check his remarks. So I appreciate both of u for commenting on it.</p>
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<p>Not only is this utter nonsense but it would be statistically impossible. Caltech has under 200 students per class and has the highest SAT average of any college.</p>
<p>^^lol…i thought colleges “didnt count” writing section. what happened to that?</p>
<p>edit: oh and btw, good choice with mit. they said they had a nuclear reactor on campus somewhere and students get to manage it</p>