In the May 2015 administration of the SAT, i got a score of 2170 (CR:720 M:780 W:670). Although I was happy with my reading and math scores, my writing sucked a bit, so I decided to take the SAT once again in June. However I only received a 2070 in this one, (CR:630 M:730 W:710). Although there was an increase in the writing, I’m a little concerned about the drop itself. I am indeed aware of the fact that Stanford superscores the SAT I believe my SAT superscore is a pretty decent one: 2210 (CR:720 W:710 M:780), and my highest sitting score is 2170, which too I believe is not a matter of concern based on the rest of my profile.
However, the drop itself has been an extremely vexing matter of concern.
So here’s my question -
SINCE STANFORD SUPERSCORES, WILL THE DROP BE A PROBLEM AND IS 2210 A GOOD SCORE ???
I’m from India and plan to do either computer science or maybe engineering once I graduate from High School.
Take a look at my profile:
___School:
Class 9 - GPA was 9.6 (out of 10, with most A’s) - from the central board of secondary education.
Class 10 - GPA was 10 (out of 10, almost all A’s) - from the central board of secondary education.
Class 11 Midterm - percentile in the state : 99.49 - Percentage : 91% ( I ranked in the top 0.5% of the state! )
from the Gujarat higher secondary education board
Class 11 End term - percentile in the state : 99.87 - Percentage : 93% ( I ranked in the top 0.1% of the state! )
from the Gujarat higher secondary education board
Class 12 results will be out once admission procedures will be completed
Keep in mind that the courses I’ve selected are way more difficult,rigorous and comprehensive than the one’s provided by ICSE or IB.
I mean seriously, WAY MORE!
___Essays:
I’m a strong writer and can write pretty good when I’m calm and pensive.
___Recommendations:
My teachers are really fond of me, so I think that they will write well for me!
___ECs:
School quizzing team for 4 years; participated in 15 quizzes on city, state and national levels. Won about 8-9
Two quiz shows were televised on national TV in India and neighboring countries. (I felt like a celebrity, lol)
Active musician, about 13-14 years with the guitar and the piano.
I also have a degree in Indian clasical music, which I completed when I was n middle school.
Have conducted many charity music shows in which I have performed at several occasions.
Active community service advocate; about one visit and musical performance at an orphanage every week.
Leader of the school music club and I write often for the school newsletter.
I teach math and science to homeless and impoverished girls in my town.
I'm really good at movie making; I design films for the school's events and have a successful YouTube channel with over
10.5K subs and one and half million views!
I also teach music to some poor people who live in the outskirts of the city in which I stay.
I have weekly school talks with lower grade students and encourage them to work harder, for it turns out that my speeches have a beguiling influence (not in the negative way though, lol).
national cyber Olympiad 2014 class topper, with a state rank of 23 and an international rank of 208 !
Founding members of the school's tech Club, wherein I teach Adobe After Effects to a class of about 30.
Out of all my years at school, I've Represented my class for almost 6 years, as the Class Representative.
Maybe i might have forgotten a few more ECs, but I’m sure you’ll get the gist of what I mean…
@DarkEclipse You might differ, but my course books are indeed more difficult because they prepare us for hardcore science or enginieering. Of course, I selected this course only last year because that’s what I want to do. Whenever I have to study for a test, I start referring to IB and ICSE books initially, because their concepts are exactly same as ours, but a little basic. One I’m done with that, I will practice from my books. Thanks nevertheless
Ok , first of all, I think the SAT scores should be viewed in light of the applicant’s context, meaning how high it is compared to that of other applicants from India. While it may be in the 25th-75th percentile range of SAT scores of admits at Stanford, how high is a 2210 superscore compared to the average SAT of Indian applicants to Stanford? While it is a great score, from what I’ve read around here at CC (seriously, every second Indian applicant to HYPSM seems to be a child prodigy, won national awards, was the savior of communities affected by poverty etc. etc.) a 2210 may not be such a great score compared to the OP’s competitors. A large drop in your SAT scores (especially your CR, which plummeted from 720 to 630)-, would cast doubts on the minds of adcoms: which score was the fluke? You better hope that other areas of your application reinforce the notion that you’re good at english/reading comprehension. At a highly selective school like Stanford, every little bit matter so ideally, you don’t want any “red flags” in your application (meaning discrepancies that may make them question certain aspects of your app). Will it hurt you? Maybe, probably a little, but it won’t get your application tossed in the bin. Since you can’t do anything about it, don’t worry about it and just try your best in the remaining areas.
@blu5959 Thank you mate. That was really helpful. I do know that going to Stanford is as difficult ss hell, but I’m going to try my very best. BTW, Do UCLA, CMU and UCB qualify as potential matches for me ? @bopper Thank you for your comment as well. What do you think about it ?
The acceptance rate for CMU’s CS this year was 5%. You can check admissions statistics (including SAT averages) by accessing CMU’s admissions statistics webpage. CMU is not a safety for anyone. The SAT’s averages are very high, even for the College of Fine Arts which has the lowest SAT’s scores at CMU.
I can’t really chance you because as I mentioned before, you face heavy competition coming from India so normal circumstances/admitted statistics can’t really be used to judge your application. However, you can probably see UCLA and CMU as matches, with UC Berkeley probably bordering on high match/low reach (just from what I’ve seen of Indian applicants on this forum). This is no way accurate or reflective of any statistics, just my general impression.
@CallMeHrishi The course is far more expansive, but the exams are completely different. Comparing coursebooks does not provide info on course difficulty; GHSE board is theory based, whereas IB and the similar boards are far more application based. No two boards can be compared with one another. And the fact that you think that any state board is “Very difficult” is ludicrous; state boards were only created for one purpose, to encourage entry to that state’s universities. If it were very difficult, Entrance exams wouldn’t exist, because their purpose would be nullified.
“Hardcore science and engineering” is something that doesn’t mean anything. It exclusively prepares you for Indian joint exams, nothing more, nothing less.
Nevertheless, you are entitled to your own opinion.
Now, addressing your question: A lot of it depends on your uniqueness. So far, I can’t see much that distinguishes you from many other Indian applicants. UCB might be a match for you, although that’s a big “might”.
How much are your parents going to spend on your college education? If you’re not a full pay candidate, then your chances at UCB and UCLA are next to zero, unless you qualify for UCB’s Regent Scholarship.
Relative to other Asian international applicants your scores are marginal, outstanding in most other context, but within the sphere of Stanford and your similar peers there are just adequate. I would make sure you have selected very good safety and match schools.
@DarkEclipse If I do not apply for scholarship at either of the UCs, are my chances bolstered at them? Two of my close friends just got into ucla,and neither had applied for it. BTW, Thank you so much for addressing to my issue.
You have a shot, but it is a reach for everyone at Stanford. They deny people with perfect SAT scores every year. Strong GPA and test scores are necessary, but they look beyond that too. Good luck.
Your grades are good but your ECs are trite. What do you want to major in? I’m guessing that it is CS. You don’t seem to have any activities that show passion towards it. Or in any other activities for that matter. Also, the huge drop in CR is a possible red flag.
Stanford might be difficult (I have met quite a lot of people applying to Stanford this year and no disrespect, but they are way more qualified than you are.)
UCB EECS is in no way a match. It is pretty selective. But you stand a good shot there. As for CMU, it is the same as Stanford. UCLA shouldn’t be a problem.
