Hello!
Thank you for taking the time to read. As you can probably guess from the title of my post, I’m a neurotic, anxious high school junior in the process of putting together my college application. I am applying to Ivies and the top liberal arts schools (Williams, Amherst College, Swarthmore, Bowdoin) and am wondering whether or not my SAT scores are high enough for these schools, how much SAT2 scores matter, and what my chances are at being admitted to one or any of these schools.
Took the SAT for the first time in May; scored a 2250 (770 Critical Reading, 770 writing, 710 math. I had been scoring 800s or high 700s on my math sections and misread three questions on the day of the test; I am planning on retaking in the fall and have absolute faith that I can get my math score up.)
Question: as I said, I am retaking. However, is a 2250 high enough to apply to the top schools? I’m aware that a plethora of factors go into the decision process and that nothing is a guarantee. What i am asking, then, is if that score will be a detriment to my application or if it will be acceptable, considering that the rest of my application is sound?
I have straight As (4.0) throughout all of high school, except for two A-s freshman year. All honors/advanced classes (except Physics my junior year because it’s a freshman class, the juniors at my new school take bio and I took bio my freshman year). Have taken all APs offered at my two schools, 5 on AP Global. Took APUSH and AP Lit this year and believe I pulled 5s on both.
Will take SAT2s next month. Am planning on US and Literature; should I be taking a math and a humanities? Or is that acceptable?
I believe my app is strong extracurricular wise. I’m a singer and I play piano, will have an album out to submit to colleges as a supplement. Was in a prestigious world-traveling choir for a year, then moved states for my junior year. Have been very involved in choir, acapella, and school musical (I was the lead) at my new school since. Have been writing for school newspaper for years, editor in chief of a publication at my new school. Also involved in other publications, writing and editing. Have been involved in Model UN for years, now JSA as well (have a leadership position in the club). When I lived in my old state, I did the same community service bi-weekly for three years, now am Founder and President of “Fighting Hunger” club, also involved in work with Food Pantries.
Recommendations will be very strong-- one from a math teacher, another from my English teacher, a last one from my music director at school.
Do I have a shot? Are my SAT scores strong enough as they are (I am going to retake, as stated, but if a 2250 is strong enough as it, I’ll be able to sleep a bit better at night)? How much do SAT2s matter and where should I aim to score? Do I need a math and a humanities or are two humanities SAT2s acceptable if I’m planning on going into the social sciences?
Think I should add legacy info!? Not sure how much it matters but-- my mother and grandfather went to Columbia (and my grandfather was very involved with the school after graduation). My father went to Yale law.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read this; I apologize for the length but really really appreciate any/all feedback. Have a wonderful day!