SAT prep

Student Lounge International Students
1

<p>Okay, so I'm a UK (English) student currently in the UK equivalent of my junior year. I want to apply to US universities, so I'm taking the SATs for the first time on May 3rd (approx. 3 weeks away) and then again on June 7th (approx 8 weeks away). Having just done a practice test for the very first time without any prior preparation whatsoever (aside from reading the instructions!), I scored a 1790 with 690 on the writing section, 540 on the maths section, and 560 on the critical reading section. This is significantly lower than I would have liked (expected at least 710 on writing, 600 on both critical reading and maths for my first attempt)</p>

<p>I have three main questions:</p>

<p>Firstly, what score do you think I can get if I work hard for the June test (I expect around 1850/1900 in May)?
Secondly, how do you suggest I prepare for this? I've got the collegeboard book, but the test is so different from anything I'm used to...
And thirdly (sorry, I know this is a lot) - if I do score lower than I would like after having sat both tests, will this be much of an issue when I come to apply to certain schools?
I'm not thinking of applying to the Ivy League or anywhere like that (I'm not totally delusional), but I was thinking of Tufts and UNC- Chapel Hill as my potential reach schools. For anyone who knows anything about the UK grading system, I'm sitting five AS levels this year and am predicted As in all five. I do have a very good academic record, so would universities take into consideration that an international student may be likely to score lower on the SATs than a US student?</p>

<p>Sorry, I know it went on a bit, but I'd really appreciate some advice. Thank you! :)</p>

2

<p>First thing: there is a reason that US students spend so much time & money on SAT prep: the test is designed to be tricky. There are some tricks of the trade- get a review book such as Princeton Review. </p>

<p>Second thing: Tufts will recognize your grading system. Whether UNC-CH does or doesn’t is less important than the fact that, by law, CH cannot accept more than 18% of students from outside NC- and that includes recruited athletes (of which it has many). So, CH is disproportionately more difficult for you to get into. </p>

<p>Third thing: Tufts and UNC CH are starkly different experiences, and not necessarily on you might want to think about what you are looking for. If you like Tufts, check out Johns Hopkins (especially if you are interested in biological sciences or international relations) or Northwestern. For unis more like UNC CH, check out UMichigan (though the weather is rather different…) or UVa (which is allowed to take 25% of students from outside VA- still tough, but a little more wiggle room). </p>

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<p>Thank you, that was really helpful :slight_smile: </p>