<p>A couple things you haven't mentioned --</p>
<p>Do you have a particular passion or passions?
Why Brown?</p>
<p>How you answer these things (and how well your answer comes across in your application) could make all the difference in your success. Also, it could come down to how well you write your essays and what your recommendations say. </p>
<p>Of course, the admission rates are higher the higher the test scores (whether this is because of the test scores themselves or the characteristics of those with the higher scores is impossible to tell, of course ...) You can look that up on the Brown web site.</p>
<p>But people can get into Brown even without a 1400 SAT or its equivalent. My daughter had a score on the ACT that converts (if you accept the standard chart, that is) to less, and she made it in on regular decision.</p>
<p>I wouldn't recommend studying so much for the SAT that your grades go down. Where would this leave you if your ED application is deferred, especially since this will be your first set of grades where you are taking multiple AP courses? You don't say how much you studied for the SAT the first time, though. If you didn't study much, you might very well be able to bring your score up without much effort.</p>
<p>Do you have a feel for why you scored the way you did? Were there particular questions you didn't understand, were you tripped up on tricky wording, or was it time management? I think you need to know where you need to improve first before you can do the study or other work necessary to improve.</p>
<p>You might try out the ACT. You might be one of those who score better on it. If so, you can simply send that score into Brown.</p>
<p>But to answer your question. Yes, you should try to apply. You certainly have zero chance of getting in if you don't apply at all. Don't leave yourself wondering "what if?" If Brown is your first choice, go for it. If they turn you down, you are in the same position as you would be if you didn't apply.</p>