Just how important are SAT scores?

<p>The thing is, mine are quite good actually, though i dont talk much about them(800 crit. reading, 800 maths, 670 writing). Everyone here tells me to apply to all the top schools. I disagree with them of course, but I need advice.... as a Nigerian student, do those kind of scores give me an edge?</p>

<p>Well, they don't disadvantage you in applying to HYPSM or equivalents, but to really give you an advantage I think they have to be very close to 2400.</p>

<p>I think a 2270 would be considered really good by most colleges, enough to give you an edge, I'm not sure.</p>

<p>Yes, scores of 800 on math & critical reading give you an edge. SATs are very important for foreign nationals applying to study in the US. And yes, apply to the best schools that offer the course of study that you intend to pursue.</p>

<p>I wouldn't say they are "very important" because people from my country have gotten into Ivy leagues with scores ranging from 1880-2100.</p>

<p>There is an international here on CC who got into Cornell with 1940!</p>

<p>Of course, that doesn't mean the admissions committees wont be moved by your great scores..they will!</p>

<p>Somebody I know last year got into Columbia, full aid (!), with SAT 1950. Toefl <100. So yeah.. but 1600 CR+M is VERY impressive for a non native speaker. that score's gonna give you a huge advantage!</p>

<p>Guys thanks, you've been a real help. Its just that most of the people I'm surrounded by really believe in the power of the SAT.Part of me wants to believe the hype they're giving me, while the other part is too scared to, and that's the stronger part. Thanks again. Does anyone know if Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas is big on aid for international students?</p>

<p>And does anyone know if its OK to put reading as part of your extracurricular activities, because you're supposed to put hobbies if you like, and I really like reading, but reading sounds so.... so much like a last resort or something, as if I have nothing else to put, and I do, but I like reading a lot so...help please</p>

<p>The SAT is just one score especially at Tier 1 (Top 25?) universities, whereby the admissions office will try to evaluate you on a holistic basis. Scores play a much more important role in large publics and schools below Tier 1.</p>

<p>Why not try to weave your love of reading into your essays? Might be much better than putting "reading" as an EC.</p>

<p>Yeah, that makes more sense,thanks. Honestly, left to me I wouldn't exactly be reaching for the stars in my list of schools, left to me I don't mind public schools, only that I've been told if I want the kind of financial aid I'm looking for, private is the way to go.</p>

<p>Please does anyone out there know when MIT brings out its financial aid forms, because right now they still have have the 08-09 forms on their site.</p>

<p>Scaredycat:</p>

<p>Trinity U is not known for its financial aid, but its tuition is cheaper than that of many private schools in the North, so your net cost may be similar. If you need a significant amount of grant money, you should apply to need blind colleges, and particularly to need blind global colleges, that is the ones that are need blind for internationals. The SAT is not the most important thing in the way colleges evaluate you. The rigor of your curriculum and your grades are far more important. Additionally, your family educational level and income and your ethnicity play a role, as do your extracurriculars and recommendations. Your SAT would be considered "within the range" for any school in the US.</p>

<p>2270 is more than sufficient :)</p>

<p>awesome score, be proud of yourself</p>

<p>Anything above 2100==Wonderful.
And, as for it's importance, your app will be ''filtered'' ''in''. :).</p>

<p>Thanks again</p>

<p>thanks again</p>

<p>2 scaredycat
800+800 is just PERFECT, congrats!</p>

<p>Somebody I know last year got into Columbia, full aid (!), with SAT 1950. Toefl <100. So yeah.. but 1600 CR+M is VERY impressive for a non native speaker. that score's gonna give you a huge advantage!</p>

<p>wooow, really?? did she have a strong essay or GPA?</p>

<p>I know someone who got into Middlebury a few yrs back on 100% financial aid with 1980 SAT I, 2400 SAT II and (I think) 3As in A Levels and 5As in O Levels. Not bad, eh? And btw, Middlebury was #1 in US News rankings then!</p>