Without ACT/SAT scores - which I have read are a requirement what do you think my chances are of getting to a top Ivy league, Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Wharton, Columbia? I have 10As at GCSE, 5 As at AS level and I am predicted 4As for A2.
0%. When these schools say something is a requirement, they mean it’s required (when they say something is “recommended,” they usually mean “required if you want to get in.” They have 30,000 applicants each year, so they need a quick triage mechanism, and these tests work quite well in that respect.
If test scores are required then you have no chance if you are not submitting scores. There is a reason that they are required.
You cannot get into these schools without taking standardized tests. However, there are some test optional schools (NOT prestigious schools)
-You can try Temple University and Loyola College Maryland as these are test optional schools. Otherwise, you must take either the SAT or the ACT to try to get into these schools you listed.
Zero. These schools are not test-flexible, you can’t submit A-Levels to replace the SAT.
If you want your application to be considered, you need to take either the ACT or the SAT, plus subject tests.
@MYOS1634 It’s probably worthwhile to note that the SAT II is optional for many schools (though most admitted students do submit scores). There are exceptions, of course (MIT comes to mind, and Georgetown all but requires subject tests if you want to get in). If OP can still register to take one of the SAT/ACT or SAT II in November and then take the other in December, both would be ideal, but if this is an either/or situation the SAT I or ACT is OP’s only real choice for the December test date.
I am a UK student too and I’m applying to test-optional colleges, though I don’t have your results! AAB at A-Level and my B is only one mark off an A! If I were you I’d have a look at those, as some are pretty good schools!
I’m considering Bowdoin, Bates, Union, Trinity and Connecticut though there are also big universities that will accept you without ACT/SAT (Uni of Texas at Austin comes to mind!)
Good luck, and well done for your results; they are quite impressive! Why don’t you just stick with Oxbridge or Imperial? Surely you’d at least be shortlisted for interview with those grades! (I am taking a gap year so I applied through UCAS last year, and got shortlisted at Oxford with AABB at AS-Level!)
Actually the act and the Sat ( not the same company) aren’t on the same date so that it’s possible to take both act and sat subjects in one month.
Good point.
If OP wants to take the SAT I, scheduling remains a consideration.
We should also note that hoping for good scores on just the one test date - with about 6 weeks’ prep at most - is an iffy proposition.
@Livvy97 He’s not getting into UT without the SAT/ACT. OP would be competing against thousands of OOS and International applicants with a very limited number of slots, and many of those applicants will have 2000+ SAT scores to go along with great grades.
@danfer91 Fair enough! I don’t know much to be fair, I just remember seeing that it wasn’t compulsory to submit scores. I am not going to change my mind though; OP should apply to UK universities. With those grades, he has a great chance at the top unis. Too bad the Oxbridge deadline was 6 days ago!
@Livvy97 I actually agree. I don’t know much about UK admissions but it seems to me he would have a very good shot at Oxbridge, and if he isn’t willing to take the SAT/ACT then the top schools in the US aren’t going to happen.
Livvy97, I feel that below oxbridge I would prefer to go to a top ivy league and have a more rounded experience - plus I want to give myself the best chance of getting into a top world university.
danfer91 - I am willing, let just say not prepared - don’t feel that I can get a decent score if taking the test tomorrow say and focusing on oxbridge admissions at the moment, which very unfortunately coincide with US admissions.
@Jimbus89 Well if you want to go to an ivy you’re going to need to take the SAT and get around a 2200+ or the ACT and get a 32+. Unless you have insanely unique EC’s.
@Jimbus89 There are plenty and a growing list of test optional schools. @JMS357 is not well informed.
Op, Are you interested in, say Nyu- and what’s your budget (would your parents mind having to pay 70k… most would ). Beside but, northeastern is another one that admits based on national board exams from some specific countries.
@danfer91 are subject test good as well to getting a place? - I don’t think they will require anywhere near as much work as for SAT/ACT just all the past papers and I feel that I can get close to, or 800.
You need to take the SAT I or ACT for admission to most US colleges. Subject tests (a.k.a. the SAT II) can give you a boost, and a lot of top schools do recommend that you submit SAT II scores, but they aren’t mandatory like the SAT I or ACT. The SAT/ACT should, accordingly, be your focus.
I don’t that there is an issue in regards to money. In the UK I will be taking 50k GBP about $75K debt, so with financial aid I don’t think I will spend more than that. Does NYU not issue financial aid or something?