<p>I understand 100% that my test scores are really really bad and It is not even worth it to send an app to some places with that score. I guess all I can do it study and take the ACT a few times and try out the SAT. And then I will have to figure out where to apply.</p>
<p>Also, is a 30 on the ACT good enough, I think if I try hard that is realistic. I am unsure what I can get on the SAT, but again I feel I would do considerably better on the SAT because of the verbal section. </p>
<p>Thanks for all the advice so far and any other suggestions would be appreciated.</p>
<p>"Also, remember that ND schools are not the same as the top prep schools in New England. They don't have nearly the AP courses, and the competition from birth to get a top SAT score isn't there. Lower scores are acceptable from rural areas. "</p>
<p>I couldn't have said it better. Those from the NE don't have a clue of how things here in the mid-western part of the country are... People don't really care about tests scores, most people don't even prep or take a practice test... Colleges, IMO, would rather have a student from ND, SD, MT, WY, etc (I think more apply from ND than SD, from my research on this board... that's another issues) than MA because they realize that this student must have A LOT of self-driven motivation... Because obviously, there's not many students for that applicant to compete with, and our parents generally don't push us from the moment of birth to do extremely well in school and to get into ivy league schools... And, like I said, a poor student from SD, ND, MT, or WY that applies has a better chance than a rich student from that same state... For obvious reasons... Even though most rich students in my state of SD don't apply to the top colleges, their parents do push them to get good grades, but they don't push them THAT much.... I hope this makes some sense. Your location, history, and income play a large part in college admissions. The problem is, there are probably like 5 people from SD, ND, MT, or WY that are members of this board and this topic is rarely discussed.</p>
<p>"I don't think being from ND is going to put someone with a 26 ACT in an ivy league school or Northwestern."</p>
<p>He plans to raise his score. </p>
<p>"He is ranked #1, but you have to remember that there are hundreds and thousands of valedictorians all over these "underprivileged" states. "</p>
<p>Really? The thing is, only like 2 people from ND apply to Harvard(example) each year. There may be many people that are valedictorians in these states of which you speak, but only a maximum of 5 people, usually, will apply to Harvard. </p>
<p>"I don't see people moving to potato farms in Idaho to get into Harvard, but I see tons of people putting money into private schools so their children get good education. "</p>
<p>Idaho isn't considered a state that's going to do much for you hook-wise. SD, ND, MT, and WY are the states where only a few people apply each year to ivy leagues. Most people don't money to send their children to ivy league schools, you should be thankful. </p>
<p>I think it's very rare for someone's geographical status makes a difference, especially if your score are well below average."</p>
<p>Actually, I never said it did make up for it... However, it can be understood why one's score from ND is different than someone elses score in MA. Hmm... Maybe because our schools suck and we're not rich brats who attend the best private HS's in the country? I'm from SD and have a projected score of 2350+... :O It's called preparation and self-motivation!</p>
<p>I have heard that adcoms from Harvard have said that 1200/1600 is about the minimum score for consideration. There are two ways to consider this. 1) They don't want to discourage lower income applicants from very bad public schools from applying. 2) They don't want to discourage anyone from applying because they have to keep the selectivity numbers up for the USNWR rankings.</p>
<p>In favor of #1, they do sometimes accept people in that range when they have a tremendous hook. I shudder to think what kind of hook that would take. </p>
<p>In favor of #2, the USNWR rankings are big business. There is a lot of money involved and once a school starts to slip, there is a snowball effect. In "Admissions Confidential" by Toors who was an adcom at Duke, she says that the adcoms were instructed to never discourage anyone from applying under any circumstances.</p>
<p>Maybe this reflects my bias growing up with farm kids, but as an adcom I would look very favorably on your family background. Kids who grew up on farms know how to work hard--very hard--and manage their time. They've got more practical experience than the average person. I also believe they have a perspective that is different than that of the typical student, and that would make a very valuable addition to a college campus. Maybe that's not such a big deal in land-grant public colleges in heavily agricultural states, but it's pretty unique at other places. </p>
<p>I think your plans to raise your scores are a good idea. However, I also think you should hit on the farm theme fairly hard in your essays, make sure admissions readers know what your background means.</p>
<p>Your test scores are not "really bad". They are remarkably high considering that you live in a rural area in ND, where the schools are not comparable to top public and private schools in places like metropolitan Boston and NYC. </p>
<p>Even now, with your rural, ND background and your other achievements, grades and scores, you can get into some good college.</p>
<p>For you to have the best chances of getting into places like HPYS, you should study and raise your scores, but you still have a chance at such places. Don't put yourself down. </p>
<p>The people who have 1550 scores and go to New England prep schools probably aren't smarter than you, just have had more advantages. Colleges realize that, so could accept you even with your current scores. The top colleges don't accept anyone whom they feel lacks the ability to graduate from their institutions, so if you get accepted to a top college, know that you really do deserve it and can handle the work even though at first, you might have to work extra hard to catch up.</p>
<p>Thanks for the input, especially the part about talking about my life on the farm for the essay. It would probably set me apart from alot of apps, chances say there will not be many other farm boys from North Dakota.</p>
<p>Maybe there is a plus to living on a farm in the middle of no where after all. Thanks again.</p>
<p>I now have another question. Take 2 schools one in the midwest, one from Minnesota for example and then one from the Northwest. Say they are pretty equal, Would I have a better chance at the one from the Northeast,rather than my neighbor state of Minnesota.</p>
<p>I was asking because I am going to visit Carleton tommarow,(which would be a excellent school to attend) and was thinking if I would have better chances out east? </p>
<p>My section leader for Boys Nation went to Harvard, and he told me that from what he knows of guys/girls from states like mine, they usually have a better chance due to their location and the lower number of apps. I am not saying I would like to go to Harvard, but I am sure the same would apply at other schools in the Northeast.</p>
<p>Anyway thank you for your time and all of your answers.</p>
<p>Here's what's wrong with the logic. Many kids at those "rich and spoiled prep schools" are just really smart kids on scholarships. when they apply to colleges they will stll be poor scholarship applicants from remote states, only ones with good high school educations guananteed to do well in college. they've already proven themselves.</p>
<p>here what's wrong with suze's logic (I think, correct me if I'm wrong). To determine geography, colleges look at the state you attended school in, not the state you are technically "from". Again, if I'm wrong, please correct me.</p>
<p>Sorry This is getting away from my beginning subject, but I went to Carleton this week and took a tour and then had a interview. I really liked Carleton, It was pretty cool. My interview went really well and lasted about 90 minutes. The best part was the fact that I got the chance to do the interview with the Dean of Admissions. So my question is this, First is the fact that I got to have a interview with the Dean helpful? And Secondly, Should I apply Early and then not get the opportunity to pursue my other school I want to attend.</p>