Hello,
I’m an international student (not a native english speaker). I want to apply to some colleges and universities but they all require SAT/SAT subject tests. My problem is I do not usually score well at SAT espcially in both critical reading and writing sections, it always took me more then limited time to finish the questions. I have just strated participating (last week), beside I have classes to attend so that won’t give me many time to participate (only perhaps for half-hour par day or more in week-ends) and my test is in Decemeber. So what do you advice me to do? I got good scores at Mathematics (both in SAT and SAT subject tests) and in French as well, so do you think my Maths’s and French scores would cover my shortage and bad scores in other sections of SAT? and what make me more anxious is that avergae scores of these colleges is very high?
Your adivce will be very appericiate.
Thank you in advance for your help.
You need to take the TOEFL and/or the IELTS. Your score on those exams will help colleges and universities better interpret your SAT scores. Some colleges and universities will use only your grades and your TOEFL or IELTS score for admission.
One thing that you can do to prepare for the SAT, is to complete one section section of each part of the exam without restricting the amount of time needed. That way you can find out how long you would need to complete that part of the test. Then think about good ways to finish the test faster. For example in the CR part of the exam, many students find that if they read the questions first, they know what they need to look for in the articles. If you know that you can’t finish the whole CR section, practice choosing the best questions to answer so that you do answer all of those correctly. For the writing section, it is important to write a good essay with a clear argument. Your essay does not have to be a very long one.
Find schools that are test optional that you can afford.
I’m pretty sure since you’re not a native speaker, you need to take the TOEFL/IELTS first to prove english proficiency.
So take those one of those tests first.
Also as an international student, make sure you can pay as a majority of schools either do not give aid to international students or they don’t meet the demonstrated need of international students.
Also, if the average scores for the schools you’re looking at are very high, maybe consider finding some additional schools whose SAT scores are within your range.
And, some of those SAT scores for schools are misleading, as for example: Harvard’s SAT average is around a 2220, but for internationals, that would be way higher given the much tougher admissions for international students.
Thank you all for your replies. Indeed I’m palning to take IELTS test and I found it easier then SAT when I take a practise test.
Are you an international who lives in the US, an international who lives abroad, or a permanent resident whose native language is not English?
If I go by your statement that you’re an international (ie., will need an F1 visa), then the key question is: what’s your parents’ budget.
If your parents can afford 50+K a year, you can apply to test-optional schools and be done. 
If you need financial aid, you may be better off taking a gap year - focus on your school work and ECs this year, and plan to devote your post- national exam time (June-September 2016?) to test prep and college applications.
@rdeng: actually, SAT may not be way higher for internationals. Harvard knows that some cultures prepare well for standardized tests while others don’t. Internationals are compared to other candidates within their own cultural area.
Thank you for comment. I don’t live in the USA and I have never been there. I’m planing to apply for financial aid.
Actually I have already graduated from high school and I have scored very well in Baccalaureate exam (it is an exam we took in my country in order to acess to university). and I have been accepted for this year (2015-2016) to study medicine in the university (in my country). But I can’t apply as transfer applicant, because my university is not accredited by US universitites.
Your words about the way that colleges consider SAT results give me hope again, I wish this is how really things gone once admission commitee consider interntional students results.
Do you realize that there is very little fin aid for non-US students? Some private colleges are about $50,000 per year in the US. Can you and your family afford that? I’m not saying the US is impossible but “planning to apply for financial aid” and finding schools willing to GIVE you financial aid are two separate things. Perhaps you can post in the international students forums as well? Good luck.
Financial aid rests heavily on 1° excellent baccalaureate results (is this the French “bac”? Or another version?) 2° outstanding (exceptional) ECs 3° SAT/ACT scores that place you in the top 10% at worst (top 5%, top 2%, top 1%) for your region. Having an an excellent ACT/SAT score will be the most important because it opens automatic and competitive full tuition possibilities.
I understand that in many countries, in order to have health care and a legal status, youth must be registered in an educational institution of any kind (such as a university), but you CANNOT be taking classes or be a student there in any way if it’s a university because you’ll lose your only chance at a scholarship.
If your parents have less than 25K per year to contribute to your education (and I understand it can be an awful lot for many families outside the US), the selection becomes insane. Check out the threads by Evelynne1996 for example.
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/international-students/1615784-please-give-me-advice-on-how-to-improve-my-application.html
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/international-students/1757502-international-student-reapplying-results.html
Frankly you should be trying to take a test in November so that the December is not your only test.
MANY if not MOST deadlines for scholarships are December 1st, so that you should know how well you scored (or didn’t) before you apply to those. No need to spend hours and hours on an application if yout scores don’t meet the minimum criteria.
http://automaticfulltuition.yolasite.com/
http://competitivefulltuition.yolasite.com/
@T26E4
Accroding to what the colleges I’m planing to apply they will be prepared to cover full demonstrated need-based; but as you said this is very hard and espicially that my SAT scores are not good at all.
I will look to the international forum perhaps I will find some similiar cases.
Thank you for your help.
@MYOS1634
I didn’t pass a French Baccalaureate but an Algerian one: My socre was 17.5/20 (our socres are of 20 not of 100). This is really a very good result reagrding that I was in a Mathematics section. As for SAT I don’t think I will score very good; though I have got a perfect score in Mathematics section every time I practised and I can improve my writing score, cretical reading still a huge problem for me. I can’t take the SAT twice; because I need to take both SAT reasoning test and SAT subject tests (which I hope would help be to reiforce my position). I may take it again in January if my scores would’nt be good enough, but the scores won’t probably arrive in time to be considered.
Thank you all for you help.
I won’t give up despite everything; my colleges are competitive but I must try. I know I’m not in a good position. Studying aboard is a big dream for me and a main target.
I want to give you more information, perhaps that might help you to give me more specific advice; Colleges I’m planing to apply for are:
1-Amherst
2-Dartmouth
3-Harvard
4-Yale
5-Princeton
6-NYU Abu Dhabi (but I think it is same as NYU admission process, only the campus differs)
7-Macalester
8-Grinell
They all have “need-blind” admission policy; my family income is less then 8K USD per year.
I have already start Common Applicaion and I plan to submit it in the ends of December.
I started writing some essays. I will ask my teachers and counslor to write referee letters and compelete other school form. It will be a very lenthy process because I need to assit them; They aren’t familiar with online process and most of them don’t speak English at all.
My SAT scores (they are not official obviously only a practicc) this is the 2nd practice test I took. It took me more tie then the specific time to finish each section (2-9 minutes).
Critical Reading: 500-560
Writing (without essay) :46-56 (scaled score)
Maths: 800
@vladimiruritvic
Hi, I just want to clarify for you the NYU Abu Dhabi does not have the same admissions process as NYU. NYU Abu Dhabi is currently one of the most selective universities in the world (based on pure quantitative qualifications) and has a different selection process, including a nomination/interview process that NYU does not include. Other than namesake, it is fairly autonomous from NYU as well (albeit a NYU school). Just a heads up for if you are applying there; it is not like NYU in terms of admissions.
@bsb4389
Thank you for your comment. What I meant that in the Common Application it is the same process (you can check that) you only need to mention what campus do you want to apply for (New York, Abu Dhabi or Shanghai). I know that there are diffrences in application requirements and financial aid policy (NYU is not need-blind-at least for international students- but NYU Abu Dhabi is, also NYU Abu Dhabi don’t require-but recommend- English language tests, while student can’t apply for NYU without English test score).
It’s true that there are a small handful of top US colleges that will give full demonstrated need to international applicants. But because of this, the BEST students apply for those very very few slots.
For instance, look at these:
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/yale-university/1752938-yale-university-class-of-2019-rd-results-p1.html
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/harvard-university/1752941-harvard-university-class-of-2019-rd-results-p1.html
These schools have the option to take only the very best of each nation. I don’t think you have a true understanding of the competition and the odds you’re facing…
You need to understand he difference between “need blind” and “meets need”. Need blind means the college will consider your application for admission without considering whether you can afford to attend.
Meets need means they will provide (by their estimation) enough aid so you can afford to attend.
Unfortunately, “meets need” rarely extends to internationals. There are currently only 5 colleges in the U.S. that are need blind for internationals and meet need for internationals. Those 5 colleges are insanely competitive for international admissions because of this, And the SAT scores are heavily considered – you really can’t gain admission without a great SAT score. Even with thst, the odds are very much against you. And the other colleges on your list will most likely be unaffordable.
You need a backup plan in your home country or someplace besides the U.S.
@T26E4
Thank you.
Please explain more what do you mean by saying:" I don’t think you have a true understanding of the competition and the odds you’re facing…"
You have effectively no chance at any of the colleges you listed. They will reject 80-90% of people with near-perfect SATs and GPAs from non US applicants.
I repeat what intparent said: "You need a backup plan in your home country or someplace besides the U.S. "