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Hey people!

I'm new here, and I just wanted to know something. I am an international student, and do have quite a solid academic record, on the basis of which I am applying to the big names in the US. I just wanted to know your take on a few things...

Firstly, I did my SAT I in October, and ended up with a 1460 (760M/700V). I wasn’t too happy and so I registered for the SAT I in December. The problem is I just got my November SAT II scores, and I wasn't too happy with my Writing...I got a 690. However I did get an 800 in both the Math IIC and Physics.

So what do I do now? Continue my effort to improve my SAT I score in December, or try reattempt the SAT II Writing in December? I guess I could score better in either if I tried.

From my list of universities, I am applying to three top schools...Stanford, CalTech and MIT. By far, MIT seems to be my dream college, but with these kinds of SAT scores, I don't know if I even stand a chance.

Just for your reference, here are my credentials...what do you think about my chances:

-Straight A+’s last 4 years of high school (I guess thats a 4.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale..I don't understand the weighted and unweighted system)
-First in rank all throughout school
-SAT I 1460 (760M/700V)
-SAT II Math IIC 800, Physics 800, Writing 690 (hate the last one)
-Recipient of an international award for best student from the University of Cambridge, UK. This earned me 3 national newspaper features.
-Selected and attended the Global Young Leaders Conference in Washington DC and New York. This earned me 4 national newspaper features.
-Won a national essay writing competition (BTW, will this help cover up for the low SAT II writing score?)
-Featured in two national newspapers, and on national television for getting close to the world record (Official Guinness Book of World Records) of solving the largest jigsaw puzzle. (Age 12)
-Featured in a national newspaper for designing many "Pop-Up Cards".(Age 15)
-Featured in a magazine for exhibiting an art of making miniature models. (Age 14)
-Featured in a magazine, and on national television, at the age of 5 for demonstrating the ability to create 360 individual items using the Japanese art of origami (paper folding)
-Positions of Head Boy, Deputy Head Boy, House Captain and prefect held throughout high school.
-Captain and founder of school debate team
-Enrolled in school photography club
-Directed, written, and acted in all high school plays
-Been playing the guitar for 3 years
-Winner of multiple school quiz contests and Math Olympiads
-Participated in an inter-school scientific design competition (third place)
-Participated in local charity events including Terry Fox Run and Clean Up the World campaign.
-Participated in an inter-school quiz competition.

So what do you think? My activities are really diverse, and so different from most students. Will this be a disadvantage? In addition I have got numerous newspaper and television features, but they were all before High School. Does this mean that they will not be considered?

I seem to be in a mess...any help on my actual chances would be appreciated....

Thanks

By Amylase (Amylase) on Friday, November 14, 2003 - 08:58 am: Edit

Are you from britain?

Well i think you should do yr SAT II writing.

Your verbal score 700 is fine, though not good.

In order to apply to the big names, it is preferably to have all SATs over 700 i think.

By Nop86 (Nop86) on Friday, November 14, 2003 - 12:20 pm: Edit

SATs are not the most impt thing. However, if you have to repeat, do writing b/c your score contradicts the essay award etc. Verbal doesn't as much because mostly vocab etc are involved. Besides, doing SAT I again would be a lot more stressful I think.

By Pratik (Pratik) on Friday, November 14, 2003 - 02:45 pm: Edit

Thanks for your answers people...

Well, I'm going to check with collegeboard if they will let me attempt the SAT II instead of the SAT I...

I was really hoping to go ahead with the SAT I and get like a 1500 above (if I can!) I don't mind the extra work if it's going to get me ahead.

Actually I was hoping that the national essay award, the fact that I got an A* in my O-Level exam in First Language English, and a great SAT I score might help outshine the 690 in SAT II Writing....What do you all think?

Let me get in touch with collegeboard first...in the meantime any other advice would be really helpful.

Thanks.

P.S. No amylase, I'm not from the UK, I am from a tiny little city in south-east asia...and I am of Indian origin so English is NOT my first language. But I have followed the British Syllabus, and have attempted the O-Level (straight A*'s) and A-Level (straight A's) from the University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate.

By Nop86 (Nop86) on Friday, November 14, 2003 - 11:30 pm: Edit

Hey what city are you in? I'm in SEA too, and of Indian origin. Have also done O Levels and A Levels (well doing).

By Pratik (Pratik) on Saturday, November 15, 2003 - 12:28 am: Edit

I am in Dubai...have you heard of it? What about you Nop86?

I checked with collegeboard, and I have till this Wednesday to change my December registration from a SAT I to a SAT II...but I'm still confused. I'm totally lost between SAT I and SAT II Writing....

Oh well...

By Pratik (Pratik) on Monday, November 17, 2003 - 01:30 am: Edit

OK people, I am really confused now.....

One of my teachers is saying that I need to score atleast a 1500 on the SAT I for MIT if I seriously want to stand a chance as an international student....he is telling me to take the SAT I because he says they hold more weight...

He advises that I supplement my 280 TOEFL instead of the SAT II Writing, and he says a 690 on SAT Ii Writing wont make as much of a difference as a 1460 on the SAt I would. But I don't think I can submit a TOEFL score and state that I've been studying first language English and that I won a national esay prize....it doesn't make sense...

People please help me out here...I've got 2 more days (till this tuesday) to change my SAT I to a SAT II, so I need to reach a desicion by then.

Please guys...help me out here....