<p>Hello everybody,
I am an international student, who wants to study economics in a good US college. Now I am at the final year of my high school in Uzbekistan and I want to apply this year. </p>
<p>My choices are Bowdoin, Bates, Trinity, Connecticut college and probably Hamilton. I've decided to apply there mostly because they provide fin aid and do not require SATI.</p>
<p>My average mark at school is over 80 in a 100-point scale (that is approximately A/A+).
Class rank is about 5%.
This year I'm also begging my Foundation Studies course with Economics, Business and Law modules and I expect to get very good marks there.</p>
<p>I've taken the IELTS and got band 8.
I also intend to take SAT II Math Level 2 and SAT II French and expect to get a 750+ score.</p>
<p>Extracurricular activities (not really impressive, but still):
I've participated in a badminton club for last 3 years and got a 3rd place on a local competition.
Was a member of a debate club for last two years.
A leader of the research team of our school's newspaper for last three years.
Got some 2nd and 3rd places on local olympiads in English and Math.</p>
<p>Do you think I have chances to get into my chosen LACs or it is better to abandon this idea?
Is it also a good idea to submit SAT Subject scores or is it better to take SAT I (but I'm afraid I'll not get over 2000-2100 there)?</p>
<p>I really appreciate and look forward for your answers.</p>
<p>Take three SAT subject tests. You’d need either English or History in addition to the two above.
Hamilton and Colby are both “test flexible”, meaning they’ll look at your three best subject tests.
It’s really, really important for you to do that if you need financial aid.</p>
<p>However you need to diversify your list. Depending on your future major, you may want to include Dickinson, Macalester, Grinnell, Earlham, … on your list.</p>
<p>Try NOT to apply without SAT I. SAT I is a kind of must in admission process. There are also many colleges that have merit scholarships based on SAT I/ ACT…
SAT II is a very bad thing to submit INSTEAD of SAT I/ ACT…</p>
<p>Don’t be so afraid of SAT I. Based on your IELTS 8, I can tell with few practice test you will have at least a 600 - 650 on CR and W. No idea about math!</p>
<p>Applying for aid as an international makes the process of evaluating the chance of being admitted very complicated.</p>
<p>If you really don’t need aid, don’t apply; or consider elite public colleges; or Canadian unis (specially the ones out of Ontario - ontario is more expensive…).
Also apply to need blind schools anyway. internationals have less than 5% chance in most of them, but i think its worth trying…</p>
<p>Having read your replies I’ve got a question: is it OK to apply with ONLY SAT I results? because I think I’ll not be able to register for both SAT I and II.</p>
<p>Yes, at LAC’s, it is OKAY to apply with only SAT I scores. However, you won’t be able to apply to Williams, Swarthmore and a few other schools. Most colleges, though, don’t need SAT II.</p>
<p>Apply ED to Trinity College. Your best shot is there. :)</p>
<p>And what do you think is better: to sumbit 2 SAT II ( French & maths) with high scores 750+ or SAT I with average score (1900-2000) to test-optional schools?</p>
<p>To Trin Coll, you can just submit your IELTS score. To test-optional schools, don’t submit any of those scores - no point unless they’re really good. Anyway, if you want to apply to more schools, take the SAT I. That’s obviously more important.</p>
<p>SAT II’s do not substitute the SAT I. You have to take the SAT 1 or the ACT (although I’ve found that for internationals ACT is too curriculum based – in other words, if you have not followed a US high school curriculum, you will not score well in the ACT). SAT 1 is a better option for internationals. </p>
<p>However at the risk of repeating myself, I have to insist that SAT II’s and the SAT I are not interchangeable. Many colleges ask for both, few ask for the SAT I only. It’s rare for a college not to require the SAT I.</p>
<p>The OP is applying to schools with test optional policies. It’s fine in that case to elect not to submit test scores the applicant doesn’t feel represent his/her best work. </p>
<p>For the OP, I’d suggest submitting your strong SAT IIs to all these schools. Submit your SATI scores to the schools on your list where your score is at the 25%ile or above - it will not hurt you. This isn’t a death blow to your application at any school (except possibly Bowdoin). But, be aware that failure to submit a stronger core test score at all schools will put you at somewhat of a disadvantage among the highly competitive pool of international applicants seeking aid at these schools. </p>
<p>I agree with the advice to pick an ED school, if you feel comfortable with that. That could also boost your admissions chances. Trinity wouldn’t be a bad choice.</p>