<p>I was wondering how much of a "deal breaker" my SAT II scores might be when application time rolls around. I took both the SAT & ACT, but no matter which I submit, I still have to send in 2 SAT II test scores :P </p>
<p>I received a 630 on the Math II test (I know, I know it's pretty low) & a 730 on Lit. The following are my other stats: </p>
<p>Gender/Ethnicity: M/Hispanic
Location: NJ near NYC
High School: Extremely selective, public magnet school
Will apply for financial aid: Yes
Hooks: URM, gay<br>
Major: English & Economics </p>
<p>Academics:</p>
<p>GPA - Unweighted: 3.66 F + S, 3.70+ with Junior year grades (not available yet)
GPA - Weighted: N/A
Rank: School does not rank </p>
<p>Scores:</p>
<p>SAT Composite: 2180 (780 W, 750 CR, 650 M) --> might retake, really would like a 2200
ACT Composite: 31 (34 E, 34 R, 29 S, 28 M) --> planning to retake, hoping for a 32/33 </p>
<p>It’s not just your math score on SAT II that is a potential “deal breaker”. Your math scores on SAT I and ACT are below 25th%ile for Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences where you will find your preferred majors. Also, even though your school doesn’t rank, does it tell you what decile your GPA is in? If a 3.7 equates to first decile in your school, terrific! If it equates to say, third decile, not so much.</p>
<p>Your CR/English scores are great, so to improve your chances, prep for math and retake. Good luck!</p>
<p>@JZMOM2 I have no idea what decile I’d be in, but I should point out that I am an IB Diploma candidate - as such, I received an A in all of my IB classes this past year (my school does not use ‘A+s’). For the program that I am enrolled in, my GPA isn’t as high as some people I know, but they will not be applying to CMU & I am more than satisfied with it Also, according to the 2012 data that I found, the 25%tile composite SAT score was a 1970, meaning that I am more than 200 points above that - would that help overshadow my less-than-stellar math subsection score (I ask because my CR & W scores are both at or above the 75%tile)? How do you think they’d view my ACT score if I sent that as well? Sorry for all the questions, but I really appreciate your input!</p>
<p>Sorry, I have no idea if great CR/Writing makes up for low Math. I assume we are looking at the same table on the CMU website with the breakdown of scores by subtest and college. I see by your other posts on CC that you are planning on applying to very selective schools. Therefore, my advice remains the same - try to bring the Math score up. I wish I could be more helpful. As I told DS, hope for the best but love your safety!</p>
<p>^^ I personally think it depends on what college you’re applying to.
For some, it’s just a “meh”, for others it’s a big thing.
For CMU, judging by the schools you’re applying to and the general feel of the campus community, I honestly don’t think it’s considered much of a hook, UNLESS in your essay or anywhere you show that it had a huge impact on your life, your college/career interest. I’m not saying that it’s going to hurt your chances, not at all, but I’m saying that I don’t see CMU in particular giving a person’s application special consideration solely based on his or her homosexuality status, unlike how they would if you were an URM (which you are, so that’s not a problem )</p>
<p>Oh I know that, but I did reference it in my common app essay, discussing how discovering a love for poetry helped me come out to my parents (it’s all worded more eloquently than it sounds, believe me). Again, I’m not saying that by being gay I’ll get into CMU, but I’ve seen that other people in ‘chance me’ threads have listed their LGBTQ status as a hook, so I just threw it in there :)</p>
<p>I’m thinking that being a male Hispanic is something of a “hook”. It adds a diversity component to a campus. My understanding is that CMU is open to all types of diversity so if reflected thoughtfully in an essay it could add an extra dimension. Good luck in your application to CMU. My S is in CFA- Design.</p>
Also, according to the 2012 data that I found, the 25%tile composite SAT score was a 1970, meaning that I am more than 200 points above that - would that help overshadow my less-than-stellar math subsection score (I ask because my CR & W scores are both at or above the 75%tile)? How do you think they’d view my ACT score if I sent that as well? Sorry for all the questions, but I really appreciate your input!</p>