<p>So I walked into my SAT I without any prep whatsoever for the first time and got an 1880. I wanted to apply EA to my first choice, so I can't really do a re-sit, and even if I I had time, I can't really pay for doing it again. Is there any chance that I will get into any ivy school?</p>
<p>I have great extra-curriculars, lots of volunterring, glowing references, an interesting essay and really strong grades from my British schools. On top of a few essay writing competitions, I was a laureate of the National English Olympiad, and got reawards for outstanding achievement in all of my courses last year.</p>
<p>On top that, my financial situation might account for my poor SAT score, because not only did I not have the money for a prep tutor or anything of this sort, but I simply cannot afford to take the test again and it's obvious that people don't get the perfect score in their first sitting! No one in my family has been to university before, and my parents don't exactly have the greatest jobs out there...</p>
<p>Finally, what is the stance on international students and their SAT scores? My counsellor can certify that I couldn't take the test at any other time, because it collided/collides with entry exams for British universities and my A-levels.</p>
<p>In all honesty, do you think I stand a chance? Should I maybe apply RD instead? If not, I'll just not apply to uni in the states at all...</p>
<p>You don’t get to submit a list of excuses along with your test scores.</p>
<p>Anything is possible in admissions, but short of you having a compelling story to go along with your test scores, you have very, very little chance of getting into an Ivy level school, particularly as an international student who appears to not be one to pay full freight. RD won’t be any better.</p>
<p>There are schools that you could get into, just not Ivy level. But given the fees you’d pay vs. the costs of an equivalent UK university, why would you want to do that?</p>
<p>There is no need for the prep to be expensive. All you really need is the college board’s blue book which is about $20 and also available at many libraries. For someone who has succeeded at so many things, you seem nonchalant about a very important test. Your score will make acceptance at elite schools less likely and it seems that you have the potential to do much better. </p>
<p>Forget EA. Take the test again. You can potentially get a waiver of the $51 test fee. If you can’t get a waiver try to earn the money. Helping someone out for a day should earn you $50. The time will be very well spent. Get the blue book. Search this site for Silverturtle’s Guide and Xiggi’s method. Study a lot based on their advice, mostly with practice tests. Improve your score. Give yourself a fair chance to get into the type of schools that are best for you. That’s my two cents.</p>
<p>There are also free practice online. If you did not prepare for the test, it is a waste of money and also ruining your chance for admission and merit scholarship. Your current score is too low for Ivies, and you are out of time to submit a solid EA/ED application. Improve your score and see if you have a chance for RD.</p>
<p>Thanks very much for your advice guys, I really appreciate it.</p>
<p>I guess I will take the test again and apply RD. People say that applying EA increases your chances, but I should think that submitting my application EA won’t help anyway if I have bad test scores.
Just to make sure, the latest that the test can be taken for RD applicants is December, isn’t it?</p>