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From a scale of 1-10 (10 being the highest)how "good" are these scores? What should i retake?
SAT
1340 (690V 650M)
SAT 2:
latin 800
spanish 760
italian 720
world history: 770 (on hold)
NB: I'm a URM
one more thing... notice that i'm have not math or science oriented. Should I take a test in these areas to show that i'm not lop-sided even though i really am and would probably not do too well? THANKs

By haikul on Saturday, December 21, 2002 - 10:01 pm: Edit

not to be offensive by any means, but for a URM, thats awesome. That kind of fluency in 3 languages is VERY impressive and as long as you didnt fail your math courses youre in great shape. I'd say they are an 8.

By water-bird on Saturday, December 21, 2002 - 10:07 pm: Edit

7: NoT bAd. THeSe DaYs Colleges dont exactly gawk over 800s so that mid 700 range is fine. Retaking anything isn't necessary unless you think you can really ImpROve with practice tests etc. Since you do so well with languages, why not try Writing..i'm assuming english isn't your second language so it all depends. How was ur PSAT writing subscore...

By Racso on Saturday, December 21, 2002 - 10:10 pm: Edit

Thanks for responding...I would do writing but i don't want to have too many SAT s's under my belt. I got a 69 writing and know i can write a good essay (in 20 min, however? thats a different story). I guess i can pull off a 7something but should i bother?

By quarky on Saturday, December 21, 2002 - 10:28 pm: Edit

7 on a 10pt scale. yes, take the writing test. It is not that hard. English is my 2nd language, but I got 730 both times I took it. I don't know about the second test's subscores, but I got a 10/12 essay on the first one. The way I deal with the 20 min limit is this:

1) Since I already know the directions, I look directly at the promp and do NOT read any other junk that is written on the 1st page of the Writing test.
2) After familiarizing myself with the prompt, I quickly think of one or two broad subjects I will use to write the essay. Examples:
On the 1st test, my main subject was my immigration to the United States. One the 2nd test, where the prompt was "success can be disastrous," my main idea was that failure is the key to success (it's one of the rules I live by).
3) Then I think of some supporting ideas I will use in the essay. I used an example from literature on each test I have taken. The rest was personal "stuff."
4) I spend about 30-60 minutes writing a short outline for 4 paragraphs:
a) What is the thesis, which will be in the introductory paragraph?
b) What is the 2nd par about? What example(s) will I use?
c) Same as b), only for the 3rd par.
d) It is also wise to write a sentence for the concluding paragraph, but I never did that... I just went ahead and...

5) ... wrote the essay. After getting the first 3 pars, conclusion was pretty easy to write. It basically summarized the points stated in the first paragraphs, and then I finished it with a concluding statement, which REFERRED back to the thesis.

That's it.. I filled both pages (1st test -- 100% of the lines given; 2nd test - leaved the last two lines of the second page blank), but still had about 2 minutes left before the first 20 mins were up... then simply went to the mult choice.

By ........ on Saturday, December 21, 2002 - 10:44 pm: Edit

7.5/10.0 if italian wasn't the 3rd lang there it might raise a few eyebrows.
I would try to study for the SAT I math more than the writing.

STILL, these are really great scores and dont forget that SATs are becoming less and less of the admissions decision. Essays, URM status, and recs are huge.
I think u can apply to the ivies/top 25 with confidence

By Not so fast on Sunday, December 22, 2002 - 12:05 am: Edit

6/10 -these days a 780 looks weak.sorri!!!

By apscholar on Sunday, December 22, 2002 - 01:45 pm: Edit

8: you should go for the math IIC..the curve is amazing. Buy REAL SAT 2s and take a practice test. if its over 700 definitely take it.
HAVE YOU TAKEN ANY APSs?

By Racso on Monday, December 23, 2002 - 12:19 am: Edit

my school doesn't offer AP classes til jr yr so all i have is a 5 on AP World History (self-taught). I am taking 4 APs this yr and hope to do the same next. Does anybody know if taking the spanish Lit test would be suicide if i didnt read the books?