My SAT score boost

aviralkashyap · 09-18-2010, 01:58 AM

Hi , I am an international student from India.
I am taking SAT in October. My average SAT scores have so far been
Math 780-790
Critical Reading 680-700
Writing 740-780.
Math level 2 770-800
Chemistry 760-800
Literature 720-760.
I got 92.2 % in 10th boards.
Won a competition by Rachnasagar publications on all India level (got an IPOD.)
I also represented my school in Brain Of Bihar, a competition in Bihar for selecting high-IQ students.
I took part in plays and took main roles and appreciation.
I couldn't do much else as I was in a hostel and there weren't many extra curricular activities in my school.
I am a student in Vidyamandir Classes Regular course in Delhi (does that count?).
I am planning to apply in MIT, Cornell, Johns Hopkins, Princeton, Stanford , Yale and Purdue.
Is my profile good enough for these colleges?
I know my CR is not good enough due to less-than-strong vocabulary, but my TOEFL scores would be around 105-110.
Is there anything I can do to increase CR ?
I can't score much higher in writing or math .
My SAT is on October 9.

blue_box · 09-18-2010, 02:57 AM

Quote:

Won a competition by Rachnasagar publications on all India level (got an IPOD.)

Haha! I found this really funny.

As for your profile, all those colleges except Purdue are high reaches.
Increasing CR is tough, but try this guide: Silverturtle's Guide to SAT and Admissions Success

anriudha · 09-18-2010, 04:19 AM

I found Brain of Bihar funny.

Are you looking for fin aid?
If yes, then remove Purdue.

aviralkashyap · 09-18-2010, 06:45 AM

Yeah, Purdue has non-need based aid. Not much scope there

aviralkashyap · 09-18-2010, 06:58 AM

Yeah, I know they are high reaches.
As a backup, i'm also applying to Texas A & M University.
They have direct admission policy for SAT Math+Reading greater than 1300.
I'm applying for engineering , so maybe they will spare that CR score.
MIT accepts TOEFL in place for SAT for non-native speakers , but it is extremely difficult to get into MIT with even full scores , so not really hoping for MIT .
I'm trying to get admission for engineering . Aren't there any more good colleges in US with financial aid for international students?
Any suggestions on how I could improve my profile?
There wasn't much scope for ECs in my school.
And I am not too worried about these colleges . Will not even apply to Yale or Princeton (not very good in engineering , but very good at rejecting your application).
Worst case , I remain in India and go to colleges here (IITs or IISERs).
Can recommendations and good essays help me?
I mean, my scores aren't noticeably bad (except for Yale and Princeton.)

aviralkashyap · 09-18-2010, 07:03 AM

My IPOD was a shuffle, though . I lost it in a month.

ivycollege · 09-24-2010, 08:12 AM

More ECs !!!!

griffen · 09-24-2010, 08:22 AM

Your academics and scores are generally in the range for selective schools, but outside the classrom you don't seem to have an activity that shows a deep commitment. This doesn't have to be school sponsored. If you maxed out what your school has much to offer, look for other things either in your community or online. For engineering, even independent things can make you a more attractive candidate such as homemade experiments or designs, blogging, tutoring, or self study for APs followed by doing well on the actual AP.

aviralkashyap · 09-24-2010, 10:03 AM

I know , but it's not the same in India ; parents and relatives even discourage ECs , academics are supreme here , especially in my state and in small towns. As for self study, I am taking my high school exams from NIOS (no classes) , so I have to study on my own. Does that count ?
And I topped the country in an exam , will that help me?

anriudha · 09-24-2010, 11:03 AM

Hold on.

You're doing NIOS and you expect to get into Yale and Princeton?

I'm no admission officer but best of luck man. Lol.

Anyway, which board did you get 92.2 in?

ivycollege · 09-24-2010, 12:40 PM

I don't know much about NIOS but just out of curiosity, What's the problem with it ?

anriudha · 09-24-2010, 01:11 PM

NIOS stands for National Institute of Open Schooling...

It's "open school".. :/

anriudha · 09-24-2010, 01:12 PM

I mean.. Just saying. They look at rigor of course curriculum and all that and since he's self-studying high school how will he explain that?

ivycollege · 09-24-2010, 02:02 PM

k. Got it.

aviralkashyap · 09-25-2010, 01:27 AM

Buddy , I did 10th from CBSE . I am doing coaching in Vidyamandir Classes Delhi (thousands of students apply for a few hundred seats ) . So please do not consider that everyone who takes NIOS is a duffer. I also emailed the colleges and they told me it won't matter (I contacted MIT and Johns Hopkins , hopefully everyone has the same policy.)