<p>Some kids get good grades in their school. School grades are awarded based on homework, assignments, pop quiz and such. If a kid has god grades and rank in a very tough curriculum with dozen plus AP courses and half-a-dozen honors courses on top of that, how would he come across if the standardized test scores are weak still within the middle 50% range) and AP test scores are not stellar.</p>
<p>If the essays, reccos and ECs are strong, would he be looked at favorably despite poor test taking skills. This is especially an important question considering Brown does not greatly believe in grades.</p>
<p>What do you guys think?</p>
<p>I’m not sure how Brown would look at it, but I would think that your school’s curriculum wasn’t challenging relative to other schools’ curriculum, especially since AP scores and standardized tests are universal while school curriculum isn’t. So, while you may have gotten As on AP and honors courses, the fact that you didn’t do stellar on AP exams would show that your A in the AP course isn’t as strong as, let’s say, another person’s B in the same AP class but different school assuming this other person got a better AP score. </p>
<p>The truth is, all schools are different and difficulty in each school varies. So the admission committees, I’m assuming, notice that, in schools where there are 10 people with a perfect or near perfect GPA tied for the number 1 rank, the classes aren’t too difficult, even if they are AP or honors classes. In other schools, they notice that classes are more difficult because the number 1 ranked student only has, let’s say, a 3.7 GPA and he holds that rank untied. To be able to better differentiate between the difficulty of classes and required work done from student to student, they use the test scores along with the GPA. </p>
<p>If you really have trouble with taking tests, I hope you’ve mentioned that in your application. But, unless you really have some medically diagnosed problem that prevents you from normally taking the tests, I think they won’t accept the excuse. Everyone gets nervous on tests and, after all, the pressure from the test is just another part that comes with it. To say that one should be excused from poor results simply because one has trouble taking tests is like saying that one shouldn’t face the consequences of hitting someone with a car because they were nervous seeing it was their first time driving alone.</p>
<p>I think Brown weighs grades and test scores very highly in admissions. However, a weakness in one area is not a dealbreaker, if you bring something special to the table. Just realize that everyone applying to Brown is going to have great recs, essays and EC’s. Most everyone will have great grades (they will know if your school is tough) and test scores too. Sure, it’s a disadvantage (see comments above), but Brown does look at applicants wholistically, and also against their peers. Try to be passionate and eloquent in the application package. Let them see the essence of you and your contributions.</p>
<p>I do think 50% sat’s and poor AP scores have to be addressed in your admissions application. Although kids here will sometimes erroneously call a 4 poor cause it isn’t a 5. 50 percentile (seriously is that a percentile of SAT test takers? or do you possibly mean 50 percentile of admitted students?) is another thing. How did you manage to pass your tests in class? I know it isn’t the same setting…</p>
<p>^ I think he/she means the SAT middle 50% for admitted students at Brown. Right? </p>
<p>I was wondering the same thing… my SAT scores fall in the middle 50% for Brown, but then I think about recruited students… hmmm. Only a few until we know for sure!</p>
<p>well i do not believe Brown takes standardized test too serious because I had 1 28 on my act and bad AP grades and I was accepted…however my rank and GPA are very good and my essays were exactly me divulged on paper…just be yourself and if its meant to be it will happen…rec letters were also good and i believe important…good luck:)!</p>