<p>Everything is good except my test scores :'( and I'm a international student. </p>
<p>My SAT score is 1470 and my ACT score is 21. And the worst part is I am applying for financial aid. </p>
<p>I really tried to increase my score but i failed. I am not a good test-taker I know shouldn't be giving excuses but at this point of my application process I am really breaking down. I studied all alone no prep classes nobody to help, I've done everything by myself. This is so frustrating and at the same time depressing. </p>
<p>My GPA is 3.93 out of 4. I have taken hard classes. Wrote really good essays at least I felt it was good and I really showed my passion on my supplements. Good extracurricular activities and good recommendation letters (I guess). </p>
<p>Should I apply to college? My common app is complete and I haven't send any app yet. It just feels like everything is over for me. I should just quite. </p>
<p>My college list consists: </p>
<p>Harvard
Amherst
Tufts
Vassar
Franklin and Marshall
Connecticut College (not sure because I haven't taken TOEFL)
Reed
Bowdoin
Gettysburg College
University of New Hampshire
Trinity College
Graceland University
Middlebury College </p>
<p>I have already sent my free scores to Amherst, Harvard, Vassar, Tufts and Reed. So to those schools it just sending in the apps. </p>
<p>The test scores will keep you out of most of those schools.
Look at the common data set for each school and see what % of admitted students had ACT/SAT scores in your range. </p>
<p>Don’t quit and don’t freak out. To be frank, you’re kind of running out of time for that. You are going to be hard pressed to get into any of the schools you just listed with your current SAT and ACT scores, except for Graceland, where I believe you are very competitive. If memory serves, Bowdoin is test -optional, that’s good, apply and see what happens. You need to peruse the list of schools that happymom linked, and prioritize those apps over “Hail Mary” schools like Harvard and Middlebury (unless you have already written the essays, in which case, see the next paragraph). A few highlights that I see just from quickly looking over the list are Wesleyan, University of Maine at Presque Isle and Ft. Kent (both have a COA of less than $25,000 is that is doable for your family), and Brandeis </p>
<p>No matter what else happens, you should definitely apply. You already have the essays written and the Common App filled out. You already invested the time, you should submit the applications. </p>
<p>I hate to be the harbinger of bad news but with those kinds of scores, it’s going to be tough getting accepted at the schools that you’ve chosen. Just remember that you’ll have tough competitions BUT just like butterfreesnd had said, apply! Best of luck! </p>
<p>Thank you everyone, I really appreciate your help. I guess I should submit my apps. I really worked for all of the essays and supplements, at least I can try and see what happens. </p>
<p>I’ve looked for some test-optional schools but it seems many do not give sufficient aids. It will be really hard for my family to to give even $10000. Can anyone please suggest me a school which can met my full need? </p>
<p>I’m afraid you’ve been the victim of some bad advice or lack of knowledge about the true competitiveness of US colleges. You’re applying to some of the MOST competitive schools yet you’re not a viable applicant. </p>
<p>You seem to think US colleges just have millions to randomly hand out to any international applicant who holds out his hand? Some have some money but it’s for the best of the best. From what you’ve listed from your testing (and I agree that it’s a crude measure), you’re simply not viable for much from selective colleges (who are inundated with international applicants, with near perfect scores, and will still be rejected in droves). Honestly, you should NOT complete your applications to Harvard, Amherst, Vassar, Tufts or Reed despite their having your test scores. They are simply too competitive for a 1470 SAT (42nd percentile)/21 ACT (56th percentile) international applicant. Save the US$400 in fees. </p>
<p>Your posting history shows you’ve been investigating schools like Harvard and Dartmouth for months – yet you’ve not faced the reality of what viable international applicants to those schools have. It’s Dec 31st and frankly, there are no answers for you.</p>
<p>Likely you should apply to the best and most affordable colleges within your country and hopefully see if you can transfer (to a realistic list of colleges – not Harvard, Amherst, Tufts, etc.) later. Sincerely, good luck to you</p>
<p>@T26E4 I know that there are thousands of international students who are MUCH more capable than me applying to these colleges. And I know how hard it is to get into a college, I’ve seen my brother go through the same process. I don’t know what’s wrong with me, I always do bad on my standardized tests. Yes, I looked for good colleges because I never thought my scores will be this bad and I am pretty sure this is one of the biggest flaws in my application. I’m not gonna say that in any way I’m a good applicant, but despite my scores I don’t think there are many flaws in my application. I’ve done as much as I possibly could, I didn’t just hold out my hand high to get noticed by a college to help me. I worked hard to raise my hand. Though my test scores doesn’t reflect that. </p>
<p>Thank you for your reply, and I guess i Should apply to those colleges because my app is complete and I qualify for a fee waiver. So now I think there is NO valid reason why I shouldn’t submit it. </p>
<p>Please ignore any grammatical errors I have written it really fast. </p>
<p>Do you have a safety in your home country? I think you need a school that you can definitely get into at home, that’s affordable for your family, and that you’ll be happy to attend if nothing else works out. </p>
<p>T26E4 is correct. Send your apps if you want to see what happens, but if you only get a certain amount of fee waivers I’d use them on colleges where your stats put you in the upper 25% of applicants. Students who need financial aid are more likely to get aid (from schools that offer it) if their stats are on the higher end of accepted students.</p>
<p>Some of this depends on where you’re from. If you’re from a country with few applicants to US colleges and no tradition of test prep you might have a shot. </p>