<p>I got really low SAT I scores, and I'm just wondering if it is worth offering an explaination for those low scores. I know there are legitimate reasons, such as "my mother died the day before so I couldn't focus", but unfortuanately (or fortunately, depending on how you look at it), I'm not one of those people. My explaination is considered very lame- I was honestly terribly busy those days, so I really couldn't study until the last minutes. I know everyone could say that, so is it even worth telling that to MIT or would that just make things worst?</p>
<p>how low are they? if its like in the 500’s, then that would be a problem. i think.</p>
<p>yeah, CR is literally in the 500’s. The others aren’t that great either. I’m retaking in Jan, but I can’t guarantee I’d do any better- all depends on how I feel that day. Truth is, I didn’t decide to apply to MIT until mid. Oct. so I only had like 2 weeks to study before the Nov. date. And out of those 2 weeks, I was really busy the first week lol</p>
<p>hmm, this is tough. i think it’d be better if mollie answered this.</p>
<p>well, if you have an olympiad gold medal then it shouldn’t be too bad. lol. jk. just show that your passionate in the things you do. i guess that’s the best solution if u really can’t pull those scores up. how are ur grades btw?</p>
<p>Based on your explanation, my anticipation is that you should not explain them to MIT since they will not cast any light on your case. Counselors are the best source for this, you can tool them and request that they explain your circumstances.</p>
<p>BTW, CR= in the 500s; do not worry, your application will not be flat out rejected for only having CR scores in the 500s, there should be another factors too. If your grades are good then it should be OK. I agree with Prime235 that mollie should answer this, but if you are in a hurry you can trust on my reply.</p>
<p>PM me and I will tell you something you can benefit from.</p>
<p>I would not point out that I was too busy to study til the last minute. I would rather them think maybe he was not feeling well, maybe he messed up on one section of the reading, maybe he is a poor test taker, etc etc. Most people applying to MIT are terribly busy. This is the type of people MIT attracts ( I think), those who cannot get enough of everything that is being offered and pour themselves into their passions. </p>
<p>It would look especially bad if you point out scores were low because you did not have time to study and then you do poorly again (especially since you think that is a possibility)</p>
<p>If testing is your one weak area, and GPA is perfect, EC’s stellar, amazing essays etc, and you can show you have a real passion for math/science/engineering, I think you are still a viable candidate.</p>
<p>GPA is stellar… well, actually, the school doesn’t give GPA</p>
<p>I did okay on SAT II’s (better than I thought I would, at least), so I don’t think admissions will point to “lack of testing abilities” as an explanation. </p>
<p>If I decided to apply earlier (like before October lol) then I might actually have given myself enough time to study.</p>
<p>I’m applying for the MIT summer program MITES (Minority Introduction to Engineering and Science.) I did bad on the SAT too, 570 math, 620 reading, 640 writing. The average math score last year was 666. Howerver, I have a 4.0 GPA, rank 2/421, and take 5 AP classes (Biology II, Chemistry II, English III, U.S. History, and Spanish IV) 2 PreAP classes (PreCalculus and Physics I), and one elective (piano). Does anyone think I have a chance?</p>
<p>An admissions officer told me that even a 550 math score would not disqualify a minority applicant from an underrepresented area being admitted to MIT. I imagine that the standard would be the same for the MITEs program. My suggestion, however, is that anyone scoring below 650 on the math portion of the SAT I needs to consider whether or not attending MIT as a four year degree seeking student would be a comfortable experience.</p>
<p>I do not think that your excuse is legitimite-- many, many other students were in the same position as you, and it may come off worse explaining than just the scores alone.</p>