I am an international applicant to U.S universities. I am upper middle class and obviously afforded and have done SAT tests. However, many universities are doing test optional. Some are doing it I think to remove barrier of application, but others say that if students don’t feel that standardized tests showcase their abilities they consider other options. Namely, IB predicted grades. I go to an IB school and I have predicted grades.
I currently have a 1380 and am applying for CS, but am also looking into econ, finance, or business. Since my test scores are not competitive and the majors I want to do are very competitive (although I hope to improve my test scores in my last testing as a senior).
I understand that depending on the college your response will change so feel free to separate your answers into multiple sections depending on selectivity.
My IB predicted grades are pretty good with
7 in Econ HL
7 in Physics HL
7 in Business Management SL
5 in Math HL… hoping to make this 6 before applications
Rest like English SL, French SL are going to be either 5 or 6… but doesnt really matter
I think as an international applicant, you are going to need to present the strongest possible package to universities. I would study and prepare for your retake and get that score up.
Missing scores generally indicate poor scores. No one who scores 800 decides not to send. The colleges allow students to skip scores to encourage more applicants, particularly those from underprivileged backgrounds who might have low scores but other strong factors to consider. I’d look and see what others have said and retake. It should be easy to get your scores up or change the selectivity level of your choices to match your current scores.
My one son applied to Several Fairtest schools. He was accepted to them all, and with his low scores, that outcome would not have been one anyone would have predicted.
But he got zero merit money. Also, he was not applying for Computer Science or other selective program.
You can go test optional for a couple or several schools and see how it pans out. You need to cast a wide net anyways as an international student, so mix it up a bit.
Add Fairfield College and Iona to your list. The Catholic schools can be good possibilities for you