hello, i am applying to brown early decision i. as such i need to basically decide today whether or not i should submit my sat score. here is my dilemma:
i had a 1420 overall, 790 reading, 630 math
my 790 reading is above brown’s average for the reading subscore however my math score is far below the average. i asked my guidance counselor and she told me to call admissions, admissions said they cannot offer me help because of the nature of my question.
i have strong ec’s, im first gen (white female) and classes though my gpa is only a 3.7 uw (4.2 w) because i was struggling with mental health issues my first two years of school
please help. additionally, would it be too late to try for the november sitting? i believe my math skills have improved but i don’t know if brown will honor a subscore at that time. please let me know. thanks so much!
If you would like to include test scores for review in your application and are applying Early Decision, testing must be completed by the last October test date to ensure receipt of scores.
I would not submit your scores.
I’m disappointed by the advice your counselor gave you.
No way you can submit - Brown admits only 3% of Math SATs below 650.
If you don’t get the answer you’d want, you may think - I should have sent. But just know that Brown is a far far far reach for anyone and everyone and it’s unlikely regardless.
So make sure you are making early action deadlines for other schools as they are typically early as well.
I think the 790 is great and helps highlight your strengths that may be lost in some grades you mention from those first couple years. The lower math score is fine and unless you are majoring in mathematics I do not think they are going to get hung up on that in their holistic process if the rest of your application is compelling.
You have some time to consider things this month. Shift things down a gear from your subject line of “urgent” and take a step back and just take a deep breath. It is not due today. Maybe have someone look at your overall application to make sure you are highlighting your ECs and any of your other super powers
My advice is complete the video before you hit submit on the application. That self-reflective process may help you identify something else that you want to share and you do not want that to feel disjointed.
(And of course, if you do get in ED are your parents/guardians okay with this being binding and that financial commitment?)
I would say you SHOULD submit, as a Hail Mary pass. Your GPA is lowish for Brown, and if you tell them it was because of mental health issues in 9th and 10th, you might as well not send the application, because they’ll figure that under the stress of college, you might relapse. Better to try to chalk it up to immaturity. But that 790 English score is outstanding, and would really support your application, if you plan to major in a non-STEM field. I think you have virtually no chance at acceptance without the SAT, but a slight chance with that 790 E, despite the 630 math, if your ECs predict future high achievement in a non-STEM field.
I didn’t want to say what you did - but with a 3.7 (and 4.2), the likelihood of admission is slim - and honestly, even at top LACs as well.
On the Brown website, it shows the admission rate for math under 650 is 3% - and that’s why I said no.
But the reality is, Brown will be a tough road - and i’m hopeful you had a good set of match and safeties.
btw - there’s no shame in a 3.7 and 4.2 weighted nor in the 1420. You’re an outstanding student and first gen will be a plus for you.
Up to you - but be realistic and ensure you have other options that will be supportive of you. Lots of schools out there similar to Brown (if it doesn’t work out)…of course we hope it does.
Even as a first gen, I think your chances are very, very slim. Do not talk about mental health issues. That is a huge red flag.
There’s a lot we don’t know. Are you from an underrepresented area? A rural area? How many advanced courses does your school offer? Are you taking the most rigorous course load compared to others at your school? What about your ECs, essays, and Letters of Rec? Do you have other mitigating circumstances such as having to work to support the family, or provide childcare to younger siblings?
I don’t know if there is a clear answer. 790 is great, especially if you aren’t planning to major in anything math-y. 630 isn’t great compared to other Brown applicants. If you can provide answers to some of the questions above, maybe we can better advise you.
thanks to everyone for all the advice. i should have clarified - i’m thinking of majoring in slavic studies with either a minor or double major in international affairs. i am very adverse to stem and have no desires to pursue it in the post secondary world
@Lindagaf also, i attend an inner city school and i have a heavy ap course load
to everyone else who is gently reminding me of my low chances of acceptance, i figured - i’m definitely not putting all my eggs in the brown basket. i have a very strong rd/ea list that i’m confident about and i feel very happy with my chances for my other schools. once again, thanks for all the advice and i appreciate it immensely!
You didn’t address everything, but I’ll add that Letters of Rec will probably be very important in your case, whether you submit scores or not. If your teachers write that you are one of the best they’ve ever had and that your presence in class has made the class better for other students due to your participation, insight, etc… a rec like that will quite possibly push you into the accepted pile. Are your teachers going to write letters like that? If so, submit the score.
So without knowing if you have mitigating circumstances and without enough context, my thought is, in general, the score isn’t beneficial. If you do have other circumstances we aren’t aware of, apart from mental health issues, then maybe submit.
Where on the Brown website did you find that 3% acceptance rate for math under 650? Just curious as we are debating whether or not to submit at a couple schools.
The OP’s application is probably going to put her on the outside looking in for Brown anyway, so I agree with the “Hail Mary” of submitting the test score and hoping the 790 catches someone’s eye in Admissions.
college board website is acting up so i haven’t submitted yet but i decided i will send the score. i figure my applications will be strong as i have a good rapport with the teachers writing my apps and i feel confident in my essays.
on the topic of it, does anyone have any tips for the 2 minute video? i’m going to watch a few vids incl the brown one but if anybody has any extra things lmk!
thanks everyone - this was a pretty tough decision but i figure since my chances are way too slim anyways the 790 might give me a positive lean. whatever happens i have a great list otherwise so i’m not nervous. once again, thanks everybody!
Perplexing why anyone would submit such low test scores. Too bad we don’t know the sample size in each range, or the proportion of admitted students who submitted test scores.
