<p>Hi! I'm an international student, and have just applied Early Decision to Princeton. My native language is not English, but Spanish. I got a 2000 on my SAT, which includes a 600 in the Critical Reading part. I was wondering if you knew whether the admission officers are more tolerant when looking at this portion of the SAT for someone who's first language is not English? I got 700 on my writing and on my math, and 283 on my TOEFL, which I think demonstrates I´m fluent in English.. but I´m still nervous about that 600.. do you think they will reject me for that?</p>
<p>And also please let me know if you have any stats about how many students applied early decision this year? although I know they probably won't be out for a while..</p>
<p>No, they are actually less tolerant. The logic being if you want to come to school here in the States, you have to prove you're verbal skills are as good as those for whom the language is inherently learned. If I had to put numbers to it, the equivalent of a 700 domestic would have to be around 750 for internationals. Writing is almost not looked at by colleges this year. I would recommend taking it one more time if you can and rushing scores as soon as possible. If they don't get to your application by the time you take the next SATs, they will see your new scores instead.</p>
<p>Princeton ED is 50% admission for domestics. I don't know what it is for internationals, but it vastly increases your chances, so don't count yourself out yet. The SAT is one small part of a big picture.</p>
<p>*Edit: It is to say, however, that at a certain point the above tolerance levels off. Meaning your 600 is as good as any other person's 600. It is only in the high ranges that this discrimination occurs. :(</p>
<p>Wow.. I had no idea about that! I had learned from other universities at collge fairs, etc. that they were way more tolerable with intl students in the verbal part of the SAT, because they knew that it was not fair to compare two people's vocabularies if one of them uses the language every time he speaks while the other one only when taking certain classes... and that this was the logic behind asking for the TOEFL, so that they could be certain that you wer fluent.. I just didn't know if Princeton took this into account.. After your reply, my hopes of getting in have almost dissappeared.. I'm way below their range...</p>
<p>However, here's the rest of my application to see what your feeling is about my chances.. and btw, thanks for replying so promptly!</p>
<p>ok.. i'm in the top 5% of my high school class, can speak English, Spanish and French fluently.. I`m currently learning Mandarin and want to major in that field (East Asian Studies).. I´ve been president and founder of a museums association, organizer of the school's community service, president of the debate team (and participated in intl conferences and won awards 3 times), captain of my soccer team (and best goalkeeper of the league) all of that for 4 yrs.. I'm in a medieval reading club and have visited every continent and over 35 countries..??</p>