<p>Hi guys, I’m an international student in my junior year and I’m planning to apply ED to Amherst next year.
However, lately I’ve heard that Amherst is so intellectual that students with no major awards stand no chance. I have some regional awards but nothing on the national level.
What’s your take on this notion?
I have 2300+ on the SAT (single sitting, planning to retake it this June) and I’ll take 3 SAT Subjects in October (hoping to get 800 on all of them) and a relatively high GPA (school doesn’t rank but I’ll probably be in the top 10-15%).
Do I stand a chance?</p>
<p>I suggest not wasting your time retaking the SAT. 2300+ is high enough for any school. Spend your time doing something more productiveness fun. </p>
<p>I know that retaking the SAT at this point is a waste of time. However, you know Asian parents. Anything less than an 800 on the Math portion will automatically lead to retaking the test.
Also, I don’t take the SAT too seriously, and I don’t cram for the test for days on end. So basically retaking the SAT does not eat into my time doing ECAs.</p>
<p>Seriously, retaking the SAT with a 2300+ is absolutely a waste of time and can even hurt your chances at schools that required you to send all SAT scores (such as yale, upenn). With that score you are above average at all the school in the US, including Ivy Leagues. And regarding you question, people here are intellectual in that they enjoy academia (most), and they find it fulfilling to study what they choose to major in. </p>
<p>I too think that retaking the SAT with a 2300+ is a bad idea. If I was an admissions representative at a school that requires you to send all scores (most of the top-ranked schools), seeing you retake a 2300+ SAT would raise a red flag. Focus on your GPA, May/June of Junior Year is usually a pretty crazy time, and if you’re that bent on taking a test then why not take a Subject Test in June?</p>
<p>Actually my plan is that if I can get an 800 on the Math portion, which is not really difficult, I’ll receive a superscore of 2400.
June is bad for taking the SAT II because I’m an international student, which means, unlike the SAT, I will have to spend a decent amount of time studying. This is almost impossible considering the extracurricular activities I’m involved in and the insane school work (my school is for gifted students so it is very tough).</p>
<p>I know an international student who got in with 2000 don’t waste your time</p>
<p>Bitterness is a very unattractive trait.</p>
<p>Congrats to all admits. I have said it before, but my daughter loved every moment at amherst. Pleasw feel free to pm me if you have questions.</p>
<p>I had no major awards, and I was waitlisted then accepted right after the universal reply date (may 1). I also know a lot of ppl who got in without major awards…Really don’t worry too much. Just get kick-ass LORs and write stand-out essays. Your SATs are also solid, and you said GPA as well</p>
<p>My son got in with a 2220 SAT. He was an athlete, though. He ended up going to a different school.</p>
<p>Amherst is hard to get into–the acceptance rate for internationals is 7%. From my school, there have been plenty of kids who were admitted to Williams, Swarthmore and the likes and not Amherst (and vice versa. I was admitted to Amherst but waitlisted by Williams, for instance). It’s SO hard to say anything, especially for international students. Even though I chose a different school, I was fortunate to have been accepted because Amherst is financially feasible for all students who get admitted. At every top school, once you have test scores at a certain level, test scores cease to matter. The process is ridiculously subjective at this level of competition (numbers cease to amaze admission officers), but as long as you have the grades and, to a lesser degree, good test scores (defined as 700 or above in all three sections), you will be very much in the running. Having impressive awards makes things easier, yes. But it will mostly come down to luck.</p>
<p>So good luck! :)</p>
<p>PS I do not think being ‘intellectual’ and garnering impressive awards are the same thing. You need to be smart to survive at Amherst, yes, but an interesting sort of smart, which will mostly come across through your essays.</p>