<p>I've taken the SAT twice already, and both scores seem to be good enough for UW:</p>
<p>First attempt: 1920
-610 Critical Reading
-700 Math
-610 Writing</p>
<p>Second attempt: 1980
-680 Critical Reading
-670 Math
-630 Writing</p>
<p>Unfortunately, I didn't plan my second attempt very well. I didn't even study anything, other than take note of some obstacles found in the CR section (hence, my improved score). I have the CollegeBoard's 'Official SAT Study Guide', and I have used four out of its ten practice exams thus far.</p>
<p>I don't want to feel like I've wasted my parents' money on a book that I didn't even use to its full potential, but at the same time I feel like I'd be wasting even more money on a third attempt despite my already sufficient scores. I KNOW I can score well above 2000 if I just put a little more effort into studying each of the sections.</p>
<p>As for the second option, I also have a friend who also wants to go to UW, but he struggled on his first attempt at the SAT (1610). He's an immigrant from Vietnam (bad at English), he got tired partway through the test, and he didn't realize that he would be penalized for incorrect answers.</p>
<p>So should I use up the rest of the practice exams and push for a maximum score on the SAT (preferably surpassing all of UW's average scores) to increase my chances of admission, or give my book to my friend who probably needs it more than I do?</p>
<p>If you’re in-state, you’re fine. You should be putting most of your focus on your senior year classes and your personal statement. Grades and the personal statement are more important than your scores on the SAT.</p>
<p>Oh, and a quick side question: Just how important is it to take a 3rd or 4th year of a foreign language?</p>
<p>I took Japanese my freshman and sophomore years. Third and fourth year classes are independent study only, and I knew I wouldn’t be able to handle it (and I really wasn’t interested in that class anyway). Do you think it’ll have a big effect on anything?</p>
<p>Basically if you are going to major in any disciplines within those respective schools, you’ll need to satisfy a foreign language graduation requirement. If you did 3 years in high school, you’ll be exempt from this, otherwise you’ll have to do one of the following things they mentioned.</p>
<p>If you so happen to not be in any of those schools, it won’t really affect anything but you never know when you’ll change your major :O…</p>
<p>I only took two years of Spanish (I’m taking Chinese this up coming year). You satisfied the minimum requirements, as long as you do fine in the rest of the application, I wouldn’t worry about it.</p>