How important are SAT scores to Brown?

hopefullybrown15 · 02-11-2010, 08:49 AM

I just got a 2070... only a 20 pt difference from December. That makes for a super-score of 2080.
CR 680 (stayed the same)
M 720 (went down 10 pts from 730)
W 670 (went up 30 pts but the essay stayed an 8 even though I thought it was so much better)

I have pretty much everything else of that "qualified," I guess you would call it, applicant. I DID just post basically this on the SAT thread but since Brown is probably gonna be the only Ivy I'm applying to and it will be ED I figured it's more appropriate here. Besides... these scores will get made fun of on the SAT thread :P

Other than Brown I'm pretty much just considering small liberal arts schools. I want a school where the professors are approachable and know me by name which the other Ivys that I actually have a chance at are just TOO big.

So... should I keep busting my ass over this test? Or should I focus more on my ECs?

bluecoast · 02-11-2010, 10:43 AM

Brown Admission: Facts & Figures

Brown values SAT scores as seen by the percentage accepted in this link from their site. At the same time it is not nearly as important as GPA and if you're in the ballpark I don't think it will be too detrimental.

hopefullybrown15 · 02-11-2010, 10:49 AM

I'm in the ballpark I guess and my rank is really high and I have a lot of ECs that are better than most... I'm especially involved in research (Siemens semifinalist) so I hope that will compensate.

rmadden15 · 02-11-2010, 01:06 PM

I am in the same boat. I have a 2120, yet everything else seems near-perfect. :/

Jersey13 · 02-11-2010, 02:15 PM

Test scores are one of the more important factors along with school transcript/GPA etc.

rmadden15 · 02-11-2010, 03:30 PM

^At Brown or in general? I am sure most people here know that they are almost, but not quite, on par with transcript/GPA/Rank factors.

hopefullybrown15 · 02-11-2010, 03:40 PM

My SATs definitely don't match my rank/GPA/course difficulty AT ALL. I think I'm like 5ish (guestimating with 5 probably somewhere between 10-2) in a class of about 350 and people who are below me in rank are getting like 2200+. I'm also really involved with research if that makes a difference.

SageMIomo · 02-15-2010, 04:50 AM

Same Boat T_T, My EC's are probably a big focus, ranked 2 and an ACT of 29, and SAT of 1830.I just never do well at standardized tests...(But I did get 10's and 11's on my essays, that kinda made me happy)

Wowie · 02-16-2010, 02:25 AM

I spoke with a Brown Alumni at an information session. He said he used to work on admissions and he told me they rank candidates in 2 departments; personal qualities and academic qualities. Each are ranked on a scale 1-6. He said although someone might have perfect grades and sat scores, they might receive a 3 on the scale because they are just average. They want people who will be successful in the Brown environment. He said the Brown environment isn't for everyone. There's a certain type of person that will work well with Brown and that is what they are looking for. A person who receives 6 may or may not have perfect grades and test scores, but they are ranking the applicant on how much they will take advantage of the Brown environment/ how successful they will be there.

So I'd say yes and no..

PhilKenSebben · 02-16-2010, 11:57 AM

Thanks for that Wowie, that was quite informative and makes me feel a bit more confident around the whole admissions process

walkerita · 02-16-2010, 02:19 PM

I've heard that Brown doesn't value SAT scores nearly as much as most of the other ivies, if that makes you feel any better. And its not like your score was all that low. I think what you really need to convey in your application is a passion for your studies- that seems to be a really big part of Brown and the "open curriculum." Good luck!!