<p>I think that CMU may require 3 SAT IIs, so when you retake physics, take another one if you need. If you were an American student from a fairly competitive high school, I would say that you’re in good shape, but I think that international admissions is more competitive, and I have no idea where you would fall in that pool of applicants.</p>
<p>Hi KrazyKow and Lakshya—I’m pretty sure CMU only requires 2 SAT IIs for at least most of its schools. Lakshya, you’ll want to double-check their website.</p>
<p>That said, other places do require 3 so if any of those are possibly on your list, of course you’d want a 3rd. I don’t know if having “extra” good SAT II scores beyond what is required is a plus—does anyone know?</p>
<p>You look good! Your SAT score is great and as an Indian student myself I know how hard it its to score in CBSE. You have to study day in, day out to get something like 96-97. That doesn’t mean 96-97ers are more intelligent. I know some students like that who never particularly impressed me. However, I think your CBSE scores are excellent for a place like MIT. I know some non-US citizen with similar stats who got into MIT with a full scholarship. He got about 85 in the 12 Boards finally, which are easier to score in than the internal school exams. Your extracurriculars should take you very far. Your SAT scores are obviously excellent as well.</p>
<p>I also want you remember that even the most perfect application, the most perfect SAT scores may not get you admission at times. US colleges are renowned for weird, out of the box selections. They are geniuses in the sense they always know which students will do best in their environment.</p>
<p>I strongly recommend you work hard on your essays. They are very very important, as they give the admissions committee a clearer sense of who you are.</p>
<p>CMU used to require 3 SAT II tests before the new SAT with the writing section was introduced. Now, only 2 SAT IIs (Math I or II plus Physics or Chemistry) are required.</p>