I took the SAT once in August and got a score of 1510 - a 740 in Maths and a 770 in EBRW. I feel I messed up my maths section since I usually score 770+ in practice tests and I feel that this score may misrepresent me, especially since I plan to be an engineering student. I’m planning on applying for the biomedical engineering program in these colleges, to which of them should I be submitting these scores, if any?
Washington University in St. Louis
Johns Hopkins University
Northwestern University
Harvey Mudd College
University of Southern California
and also I’m not probably not applying to these, but what about:
University of Michigan
Rice University
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Harvard University
Cornell University
If yours is >= the 75%ile, then certainly do. I below 25% obviously do not. In between is generally a judgement call. I tend to think that you submit if greater than the midpoint, but it is debatable.
For some of these schools, your Math score is below 25th percentile. I don’t like your chances in engineering with that score. However, your EBRW score is around 75th percentile for these schools. So it’s a bit of a conundrum.
If we are at a point where students feel that they should not report a 1510 SAT composite score, then the application process has truly become too competitive.
I’d submit unless you live in a remote area with access issues to testing centers. If you live in an area where there are plenty of testing centers available and open during 2021, the assumption you risk being applied by the AO is that you had a low score and chose not to submit. A 1510, even with a 740 Math score will unlikely hurt you. Even if the AO website says something to the effect that not submitting test scores will not be held against you, AO’s are human and this thought will more than likely be in the back of their minds.
I think you’re fine sending them to all the colleges, I just looked at the middle 50% for JHU and it’s 1500-1550, I think not sending could work against you in engineering. These colleges will want to see some kind of scores especially if they know you had the opportunity to take them, as bksquared mentioned. If you’re willing to share some other things, like PSAT or AP scores and demographics (race, state, gender), that could help.
It’s been competitive for years actually, maybe even a decade or two, recall the submitting a 1510 replaced the previous, should I retake a 1510. However that’s only because of the colleges mentioned on the list. You’re submitting a 1510 to most colleges.
Yes I think for WashU and Harvey Mudd a 740 is below the 25th. I know my EBRW is well above or at 75th percentile for most of these unis but I’d rather not risk it, especially since I’m planning ED II for WashU.
I reported the score for all my EAs (CWRU, Tulane, GATech, Purdue, Union) and got into 3, haven’t heard from purdue or GATech yet. I didn’t submit it to Duke for ED.
It’s largely my Math score I’m worried about, since it’s lower than the 50% for most of these. I didn’t take PSAT or APs. I’m an international student and I’m doing A levels and have got top grades so far so that shouldn’t be a problem. I’ve gotten merit scholarships from the 3 school I’ve gotten into.
I live in Bombay so the problem here is that tests kept getting cancelled due to COVID. I had to fly to another state to take the test, but haven’t had the chance to re-take it.
Boy, tough one here. If you are international (vs a US citizen/permanent resident living in India), it is already an uphill battle for the really selective schools. You might get some benefit of the doubt living in Bombay when it comes to testing access. I’d apply the “is the 740 at or above the 50th percentile” rule. If you have some truly amazing EC’s accomplishments in STEM areas, then going TO may become more beneficial.
I’ve written a research paper that’s been published in a reputed academic journal. I’ve interned at an a niche technology company as an independent researcher and documentation developer. My team and I won a Gold Certificate in a Cambridge Science Competition. Not sure how big of a deal these are, but STEM-wise all I have. Other ECs involve student government, editor-in-chief, varsity athlete (soccer and track), photography, IAYP Bronze Standard, debate team captain and winning a city-wide movie-making competition(team). Included the Gold Certificate in academic honours section.
I didn’t get into Duke, also no one got deferred this admission cycle for some reason so can’t send scores. Are you sure about WashU? Since 740 for Maths is below the 25th percentile.
Also since unis are test-optional doesn’t this mean my chances technically shouldn’t be affected if I don’t send? I just don’t want the 740 to adversely affect it
Not that it matters, but plenty of kids got deferred (ED Duke). I happen to live with one of them. It was the dream, but there are plenty of great options out there. You have a terrific resume. I’m sure you will land at a great school!
Keep in mind that you might be within the 50%+ or 75+ range for EDII at Wash U as opposed to the overall stats that include both RD and ED I and II. Do you have access to something like Naviance or SCOIR?
Sorry to hear your daughter didn’t make it either. I’m not sure whether it’s for just those of us from abroad but the letter said “Applicants sometimes ask if they can reapply in out RD process; unfortunately this is a final decision for this admission cycle; we also do not have an appeal or reconsideration process”
Perhaps this is just how they rejected applicants I’m not sure
