<p>Hello. I'm an International Student, already graduated from High School. I have 18 y/o</p>
<p>I did the SAT for the first time on November and my mediocre score was of 1980.
I did it again on December and my score was 1910. I didn't had that much time to study because I went to some math courses on the morning, from 6AM to 3PM. It was hard not to get tired lol, plus I only got one month to study.
I want to retake it on January because I want to get at least 2200 on the SAT so I can get a very good scholarship. I'm from El Salvador and my family's economic level can't even pay a year of a public university in the US.
I did the IB Program, my TOEFL score was 101/120, and my GPA in Junior and Senior years were 3.5 and 4.0, respectively. (I just did 10th and 11th grade. There isn't 12th grade here)
I know that this isn't competitive enough to get a very good scholarship, and that's why I want to retake the SAT on January the 26th, but I just have 4 weeks left to study and I don't know if that's going to be enough to improve 200 points from my last score.</p>
<p>Also, most of the universities deadlines close in January. I don't know if they will accept the SAT score of January since it's going to be available after I already have completed the application. This situation is something that is making me doubt of retaking the SAT again.</p>
<p>What is your honest advise? You could really help me a lot! I really want to study in the US but I need a scholarship to go, and for that I need to be perfect.</p>
<p>You should check what the January SAT policies are for the various schools that you applied to. Some of them might take the January sitting and others might not. I don’t know how common it is for schools to accept the January sitting.</p>
<p>If you do decide to retake…Have you thought about taking a prep course? Are there any places near your home that offer some kind of class you could take? Is it something that your family can afford? That would probably be the fastest way to raise your score by that many points in such a limited period. I took a 6-week course and went from an 1830 on the first practice test to a 2190 on the actual SAT. You could also try working straight from the infamous blue book by College Board, but I haven’t tried that before, so I wouldn’t know how helpful that is.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>How can I check the SAT policies that you mentioned?</p></li>
<li><p>Yes. There is an SAT course but I don’t know if it’s available in these weeks because of holidays. Also, my parents can’t afford it because it’s worth $1500. My parent’s can’t pay that money just for a 3 weeks course. They just won’t help me with that.
I know it sucks, but it’s their money, not mine.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>My only option is to practice with SAT Practice Tests and the Blue Book, but I don’t know if I’ll be able to improve and if the colleges will accept this January score.</p>
<p>First of all, you need to make sure that the schools you’re applying to will actually accept the January sitting, or else all your prep and anxiety will go to waste. Since no one here know what schools you’re applying to and it’s also YOUR application, you need to check the testing policies for each institution you’re interested in. That kind of info is usually under the “freshman admission requirements” or the “test policies” or “test requirements” section of admissions. It may take a bit of research and navigating each school’s site–if you haven’t done that research already.</p>
<p>Yes. I searched thoroughly through Santa Clara University, University of Alabama Huntsville, University of Oregon, University of South Florida… And I don’t find any relevant data to my situation.</p>
<p>It’s useless an email because they’re all on vacation and won’t reply until the 2nd week of January…</p>
<p>I really don’t know what to do… The most logic decision is that they will accept it? Or not?</p>
<p>“To receive full consideration for freshman admission and scholarships, all supporting documents such as transcripts and test scores must be postmarked by February 15, 2013. Please note that we will honor all SAT scores from the January 26 test, provided that the UO is chosen as a school recipient at registration or any other time prior to the test date, even if scores are received in February.”
[Admission</a> Deadlines | Admissions](<a href=“http://admissions.uoregon.edu/apply/dline.htm]Admission”>Freshman Deadlines | Admissions)</p>
<p>It’s up to you whether you think it will be worth it to retest. Think about how badly you want to attend each of these institutions and what other universities you’re considering (either in the U.S. or in your home country). Will your December score be enough for your top choices? Remember that applying is not the same as enrolling, so if financial aid turns out not to be good enough, you can always turn the school down.</p>
<p>How much you can raise your score in the next month will depend on your own sense of self-discipline and the amount of time you can put into studying. Raising your score by 300 points in such a short time is possible, but only if you practice regularly and consistently–and if you review your mistakes thoroughly. So weigh your options carefully.</p>
<p>I just saw. The thing is that, like many persons have told me, it’s my fault that going to the US is impossible.</p>
<p>First, I just started with my plans on October. I really haven’t searched a lot of universities. I only have those options at the moment, and that’s why I’m dying for the deadlines.
I’ve saw many other good options, but they are very competitive for scholarships. I mean, I should get a 2400 to be able to get something. I’m kind of poor. The most my parents can afford for a university is $5000 a year.</p>
<p>But I’m also worried for what you’re saying. I don’t know if I’ll be able to improve a lot in this SAT. My main weak point is reading. I got 750 on Math and 650 on Writing. If I could get at least 700 in all sections, I think I can make it, but that will be VERY hard, and with just 1 month of study… I lack self-discipline, and I’m not sure if I’ll be able to study that hard.
I have until January/11 to decide, but I really, really want to go to the US.
The problem is that I started planning VERY LATE. I should have been doing all this stuff last year… I will need a miracle to go.</p>
<p>If I were you, I’d send in my 1980 score. It really is worth the try, and is fairly competitive for top LACs. Colleges emphasise on this a lot: Standardized scores play only a part in the Admission Process. It’s not the make or break factor. Essays, rec letters etc play equally important part. So never rule these out. </p>
<p>The problem is that I’m not just applying to get in.
I’m applying for a scholarship, mainly!
And either way, I need one because if I were to get an student visa I need to show that I can pay a university year. I can’t show that :(</p>
<p>With this 1980 universities won’t even give me a penny.
I heard that there are lots of international people on the US (immigrants) and that American people are sick of that. If that’s true, then for certain I won’t get any good scholarship.</p>
<p>I’ll try to see what I can do. I’ll began studying a little and see if I can improve for the SAT…</p>
<p>Your 1980 score is good. Just send it in. It is not worth it to spend $1500 for a prep course. (If no scholarship, have you looked into Community College for a couple of years and then transferring tnto a four year school?) Best of luck.</p>
<p>I guess I’ll have to do that because I no longer have enough money.
I’m paying all the application fee’s, the SAT, and the sending of scores from my savings.
My parents don’t really support the idea of me going so I think that if I can’t get at least an 80% scholarship, there’s no way I can study in the US.</p>
<p>I was planning to apply to RIT. However, the cost of attendance is very high, and they require that I show at least $30k per year. My family business give us around $30k a year, however there’s no way I can show that.
In the bank, my dad’s account just shows $5,000, and his account is the business’ account since he is the owner. I don’t know how to show that this business sustain us with $30k a year since there’s no proof.</p>
<p>Should I retake it or a score of 1980 suffice for a good scholarship, along my GPA, TOEFL, EC, IB Diploma, and 150+ voluntarism?</p>