No time for SAT study, help?

Test Preparation SAT Preparation
1

<p>Hi,</p>

<p>I am really stressed because it has always been my dream to go to college in america (Ivy League or NYU) but i just recently decided to apply because i cannot let my dreams slip away regardless of how impossible they might seem.</p>

<p>However, i have exams for 2 of my home subjects (international student) in 3-4 weeks that i need to study heaps for, and ongoing assessments for all my others (4 others) each week that count towards my final score. I don't have time to study at all for the SAT that is in early june, and i am really stressed that i will never be able to go to college in the USA.
And in about 7-8 weeks more intense assessments are going to be each week for all 6 subjects then final examinations in November...</p>

<p>I will be sitting the subject tests next sitting (which is in october or november i think for me), which means that i won't be able to sit the main SAT again. I need to apply for at least one early admission so i can be accepted to confirm i am going, otherwise it may be a bit difficult to wait for all in May- but i would be fine with regular decision for all the schools i guess.. What should i do?
I'm so upset, is there anyway of winging the SATs to get a very competitive score?
Or am i going to be disappointed with not getting in regardless?</p>

<p>Will i be able to repeat the SATs and such and apply for the second time again to all next year with the same applications? (i will be on a gap year or studying a single subject which is possible, meaning i will still be a final year student)</p>

<p>Thanks, and sorry if i am a bit unclear i'm just quite distressed at the moment because it seems difficult for me to get a good score where i'm from and do well at the SATs, i'd have to choose one or the other.. let alone get good extracurriculas. One can dream can't they?</p>

<p>R.</p>

2

<p>Ok first, chill. Seriously, it’s for the best, and I’m not being condescending here, but you can’t be this stressed out about going to college. As in, you shouldn’t be. Plus, if you’re always stressed, I doubt you’ll ever get anything done.</p>

<p>Now, once you’re relaxed enough, read on.</p>

<p>Again, stop overthinking. You’ve got time. I’m in a similar situation, and only recently (this year, after I saw that I did well on the SAT I cold) did I decide that I’d love to study in the US. That said, internationals have a slimmer chance than others to get accepted, so basically I’m not getting my hopes up. I’m going to apply, but I won’t kill myself if I don’t get accepted. I suggest you do the same. </p>

<p>And either way, you should never be too stressed out. Take it from me. If you’re stressed out now, you might not survive an Ivy League program where everything is like 3000x more difficult. So try to tone it down a little, don’t take it all too seriously, and most importantly, never obsess. You’re bound to be disappointed if you do.</p>

<p>As for not having time: make time. If you’re 100% booked and can’t do a single thing before the test (however much you have to work, I really doubt it - you’re in school and tests are 4 weeks away, no test needs that much studying) then just don’t study, but don’t put too much emphasis on your grades if they’re low. Luckily you have Score Choice so no one needs to see them but you. </p>

<p>Then, take it again in October. Or November, depending on your SAT IIs. Use the summer to prep for both tests. You’ve got a couple months, it’s more than enough for anyone. Forget about early action. I’m not even sure colleges accept early action for international applicants. I know for a fact that MIT doesn’t, not sure about Ivy League and the rest. Don’t apply early if you’re not satisfied with your scores. Use the summer to study and do the SAT I and II in October/November, then apply. I think you’re even allowed to do the January SAT I if you’re applying regular (but don’t quote me on that.) </p>

<p>You should know that your grades are NOT everything. They’re more like the preliminary phase. You need them to get in, but they don’t decide the final outcome. That would be the rest of your application, from your extracurriculars to your essay. And both need to be plenty sufficient and good. Your essay needs to stand out if you’re hoping to get into an Ivy League college. </p>

<p>Remember, there’s nothing wrong with dreaming, but don’t live in it before you get there. You don’t want to wake up and keep thinking “boy I wish I were still in that dream”</p>

<p>Personally, I’m putting more emphasis on the SAT than on my school grades, because I know that I can keep them high while studying less or the same amount. I used to have a lot of free time anyway, so I’m trying to fill it up with some SAT practice for the June 5 test, which might very well be the last time I take it, so I need to do well. And rather than obsess over it and keep stressing over it, I’m actually acting and studying. THAT is what will get you your good grades, and that is what I suggest you do. </p>

<p>Just don’t stress over it too much. If you don’t do well just retake. If you don’t get into a top college in the US, it’s OK. They’re really elite anyway. You could always go to a local college and do great, then apply for a Master’s degree or Ph.D. or something in the US.</p>

3

<p>Thanks for the informative reply, but i have continuous assessment until mid november hehe so don’t have much time really especially around september-noveber i will have very, very little time. and the next month. otherwise i could fit some study in… </p>

<p>this is so stressful! i should do fine on my subject tests but the main SAT (since i do chemistry and double maths, i’ll do the same for the SATs) i will study for like 10 days doing an hour a day before the one in december if it’s here! hope that will be ok since i’d just focus on the other two sections as the maths is easy which is good ! but i’m going to do badly at the english ones unless i raise my vocab by heaps.</p>

<p>i may have to apply next year, but if i don’t get into early admission for a college when i apply i can’t go, so it’s reguar for next year, and early for one the year after (i’d probably just do NYU since it’s probably close to my favourite after HYP and easier to get into)</p>

<p>anddd i won’t be able to do masters, or phd over there, so this is the only opportunity i have >< i’ll just dream for the rest of my life otherwise haha.</p>

<p>thanks~</p>

4

<p>sleep less and study at night. dont treat the SAT as something you have to study INTENSELY for. a lot of it is reasoning and critical-thinking skills, which people already have. just try to exercise those skills; you can do so with one practice section alone.</p>

<p>also realize that your extracurricular activities and achievements (if any) are very important as well. you shouldnt replace these activities with study</p>

5

<p>^ thanks. i don’t really sleep anyway but i’m usually procastinating, i’ll try and get better this week haha.</p>

<p>yeah i dont know if i even have enough etracurriculars anyway to get into NYU let alone the ivies, i made a chances thread but still i think my ‘chances’ are slim unless i get high SATs!</p>