How will AdComs view these scores?

Applying to College
1

<p>Allow me to explain my situation briefly. I'm a full IB student, and I tested in Chemistry SL in junior year. I received a 4, which is the minimum required to pass. It's also the international average, but it's considered relatively low for Ivy adcoms, who want to see 5-7's. </p>

<p>HOWEVER, my situation is unique because I was the ONLY PERSON THAT PASSED THE EXAM LAST YEAR AT MY SCHOOL. The rest of my classmates either failed (7 people) or didn't test (maybe 13-14 people). Our teacher last year was terrible; he never taught us anything and had the gall to tell us that we would all get "at least 5's." (EDIT: Also, two of the non-IB-testers took the AP test and both received 2's)</p>

<p>My question, therefore, is as follows: do adcoms look at the range of test scores from a particular school to determine the context in which a particular score was achieved? Or should I leave some of this information (in a more diplomatic tone, of course) in the 'Additional Information' section of the Common App?</p>

<p>Please support your answers with facts when possible, and keep in mind that I'm focusing on engineering admissions, so this score is significant. Thanks in advance!</p>

2

<p>bump 10char</p>

3

<p>They probably won’t know your situation unless you explain it in the additional information section.</p>

4

<p>Or better still, have your counselor talk about it.</p>

5

<p>Unfotunately, bad teachers abound everywhere. Unless you have (as in our school) parents with older children who have passed down old tests for the past few years, making it easy for their younger children and others in their circle to cheat, you are seriously up the creek. I doubt whether any adcom will buy the explanation of your context. You simply should have found last year’s exams and cheated – that’s what most of the top kids in our school do.</p>

6

<p>Kellybkk, that is TERRIBLE advice. </p>

<p>As a poster above me stated, get your counselor to explain. Or your teacher in a letter, they will have more credibility.</p>

7

<p>Okay, I’m considering including it in the Additional Info. section. My counselor wrote and submitted my rec months ago, so no luck there. H</p>

<p>However, would it be okay for me to refer them to the IB coordinator at my school if they want to confirm my explanation? He is the only one keeps official records of the scores and he is aware of the situation regarding the aforementioned teacher.</p>

<p>@kelly You obviously didn’t read or didn’t understand my post. And you’re promoting cheating (not that your method would work anyway; it’s not like the IBO reuses its exams from year to year, LOL)</p>

8

<p>Yeah you could do that. Or tell your IB coordinator to write a letter; that would be better because the colleges won’t really appreciate it if they have to confirm facts for you.</p>

9

<p>Thank you, I think I’ll do that instead. Will they mind if the letter reaches them a week or more after the deadline?</p>

10

<p>I think they won’t mind a week or two. But any longer may be some trouble. Best to do it as soon as possible. Best of luck.</p>