<p>I am planning to apply EA to Stanford this year. So I only have one SAT testing day remaining on October before the EA deadline.
From what I read on the admission webpage, Stanford does not "require" SAT II but I think having good SAT II scores will increase my chances.
The problem is that I only took one SAT II test (Math II: 740) and I don't think one SAT II is enough. (most IVY league universities require two SAT II so I assume that Stanford would have the same standard). I have already taken two SAT I and got 2100 on my second try with CR: 630, M: 780, WR: 690. I believe neither score presents me as an excellent candidate so I need to use my last SAT testing chance carefully.
Should I retake my SAT I and aim for 2200+ or take three SAT II (Bio, Chem, Math) and achieve 750+? What is more likely to increase my chances?
(I think other parts of my application are strong so I want the standardized test scores to put me just above average)
Thank you in advance.</p>
<p>While you seem to be more of a math/sci applicant, I think CR is important for all applicants to selective colleges. Your 630 is well below the 25th percentile for S:</p>
<p>[Stanford</a> University: Common Data Set 2012-2013](<a href=“Stanford Common Data Set | University Communications”>Stanford Common Data Set | University Communications)</p>
<p>Since S obviously gives more weight to the SAT than Subject tests, I would recommend sitting the SAT and trying to increase your CR & WR sections.</p>
<p>I assume you know that S defers relatively few SCEA applicants. So unless you consider yourself a tiptop applicant who will stand up well in a pool with many hooked students, then you might want to consider applying RD.</p>
<p>Thank you for answering. I probably need to do more research but if my CR and WR scores are going to be huge disadvantage, l’ll heed your advice and focus on SAT I. By any chance, do you know that being an international school student in Europe doing IB diploma puts me in a different pool of applicants?</p>
<p>Sorry to break it to ya, but your scores aren’t that impressive. Even mine aren’t, and that’s considering I got 800 for Math SAT 2 and 770 for US History.
Definitely go for the SAT2 - it looks a lot better.</p>
<p>hmmm xtremers9, you think i will have higher chances with three good SAT II scores rather than improved SAT I? I am really confused after reading two opposing views…</p>
<p>Don’t apply SCEA. Take advantage of both the October and November test date. What’s your ethnicity?</p>
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<p>It honestly doesn’t matter to me which test you take, but I think it’s interesting that someone applying SCEA to S is confused because there are two different POVs and leaves it at that. </p>
<p>Where is your analytical thinking? Have you heard of the phrase: consider the source? When you do research, do to accept the first opinion you hear/read?</p>
<p>I believe you were a senior member when I checked. Congrats on your promotion to super moderator in that case. I do not take any suggestions here as my final answer to the question. Thanks for worrying about my decision making skills but I know very well that they are just tips and I will have to make the final decision myself after evaluating everything.</p>
<p>My ethnicity is Asian. XD I don’t think this gives me any advantage on my SAT scores. I have studied in an international school in Europe though. I hope this puts me in a different pool of applicants and not in a direct competition with my fellow Asians with 2400.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, still asian. XD Retake both and don’t apply SCEA.</p>
<p>Uh… Stanford? Most stanford international applicants apply with 2300+ your European school will be to your advantage but not that much</p>