I just got my SAT scores, and they’re below the average for Yale. But it was expected, because I was consistently getting the same range of scores in all my practice tests, therefore I don’t think I should retake the test. Preparatory classes in my country are too expensive.
I know Yale is a crapshoot for everyone, but I’m wondering if I should not apply on the basis of my SAT score. In school I have a high GPA, I take challenging courses, and my extracurriculars are generally pretty solid (I prefer not to be specific about them), although I’m not at that “recruited athlete / bestselling-novelist” level. Neither of my parents went to college (another reason I don’t want to retake the SAT, even though they’re willing to finance it, I sort of feel like it would be a selfish move). As for any form of affirmative action (if Yale has this), it would actually work against me, as I’m from an over-represented group.
Other schools I’m considering include Amherst College (I also fall below the average score here, however), and NUS and NTU in Singapore (which I don’t have to send my SAT scores to since I’ll be receiving my exam grades by the deadline).
I’ve heard only the strongest students apply EA to Yale, therefore I’m just wondering if I should apply RD or drop the application altogether.
@Publisher Sorry, I just meant to ask if it’s worth applying with a low SAT score, but decided to provide additional info (though preferring not to be too specific), as I don’t think the score a good reflection of my academic abilities.
Based upon my advice in post #3, if you apply SCEA to HYP or S your application is going to get buried by the “peter perfects” of this world, and you stand a good chance of being deferred – that’s true regardless of your EC’s, teacher recs or essays. Based upon your SAT scores alone, you should apply to a broad range of non-binding colleges early and apply to HYPS in the RD round.
That’s doubly-true if you are an international student, as HYPSM restrict the number of international students to about 10%-11% of an admitted class – and Admissions is looking for students who are “the best of the best” from their country.
We need to develop a broader list of target schools for you.
Consider Grinnell College in Iowa. Great LAC. Very wealthy school. High per student endowment. Very generous with financial aid.
Bates College in Maine.
Consider taking an SAT II test for math.
A 1450 SAT on the new version–which is the version that you took–is equal to a 1400 on the old version of the SAT.
The current issue of US News (2018 edition) Best Colleges shows only scores from the old version of the SAT. Therefore, if using the 2018 edition of US News, you scored a 1400 on the SAT.
If financial aid is a concern for the OP, there are only five US colleges that offer 100% Need-Blind and Full-Need Admission to International Students: Those being: MIT, Harvard, Princeton, Yale and Amherst (https://www.internationalstudent.com/schools_awarding_aid/). Unfortunately, I think a 1450 SAT is going to be too low for early admissions to those schools. If financial aid is NOT a concern for the OP, yes Grinnell is a good option.
@Publisher@gibby Thanks the recommendation, I’ll consider applying there. At the same time, I’ll also be applying to schools in other countries that don’t require the SAT (luckily for me, my grades in school are not as bad as my SAT scores :-P). Thank you for the help!
@gibby@liesl93: Gibby’s post above is very helpful but incorrect with respect to financial aid for International Students at Grinnell College in Iowa.
Not only does Grinnell College offer need based aid to internationals, Grinnell has specific merit based scholarships available only to international applicants.
Additionally, with a 1450 SAT score, Grinnell College is the best realistic option for OP as an International Student in need of financial aid. This SAT score makes Harvard, Yale, Princeton, MIT & Amherst as major reaches for the OP.
@Publisher: If you consult Grinnell’s website for Financial Aid for International Students, you will see that Grinnell is need aware, meaning a student’s ability to pay is factored into whether or not he or she will be accepted.: http://ww3.grinnell.edu/admission/apply/international
Grinnel’s need-aware model for international students is similar to other LAC colleges. Only Harvard, Yale, Princeton, MIT and Amherst admit international students regardless of their ability to pay, and for any student who cannot afford the full price tag, a full-need scholarship – with no loans – will be given to make up the difference. That is why most international students apply to those 5 colleges.
Yes, but Grinnell is still the best option for this international applicant in need of financial aid. The schools which you noted are not likely to accept OP.
Plus, Grinnell College offers merit scholarships designated for only internationals.