Being an Indian, are SAT scores more important than GPA?

International Students
1

I am Indian living in Oman studying in the CBSE syllabus. I was wondering which is important SAT scores or GPA.

GPA/Percentage

9th grade - 9.4
10th grade - 9.8
11th grade - 90%
12th grade - Expecting and aiming for 95%

SAT scores

SAT 2 - 2400 - Math 800 Chemistry 800 Physics 800
SAT 1 - 2380 - Math 800 Writing 800 Reading 780

2

The problem is that on paper you’re undistinguishable from other Indian applicants, many of whom have exactly the same test scores and CBSE results. If you had SAT2 Literature, Italian, or World History, those test scores would help you more because few Indian applicants choose these tests.
Overall, there are few selective universities for whom test scores are less important than grades, and for these schools what matters is that you’re not a carbon copy of other applicants. Once you get into Top 50 universities/LACs, ECs become more and more important.

3

I forgot to mention AP. I am taking 3 APs too CS, Chem and Physics. I am thinking it will give an advantage as very few Indians take the AP exam. I am taking the ACT too. What do you think?

4

NO, that won’t work… you’re already expected to have the equivalent of APs with your current curriculum. And the ACT is the same as the SAT. The issue is that you’re very similar to many other applicants. Stockpiling duplicating test scores won’t help.
In the end, it depends where you’re applying. If Purdue or UIUC, you’re fine. Your Ap score would make skipping intro level classes easier.
If you’re aiming for holistic admissions at top schools, though, you need to do things that’ll set you apart and preferably proof of proficiency and interest in something else than science (in addition to excellence in science, which you do have).

5

To answer your original question, the GPA is usually more important as it reflect 3-4 years of hard work.

6

Do you think my GPA is good enough?

7

^ Good enough for what?
For admission to specific universities?
If so, which ones?

8

@tk21769‌ Ivy League, Stanford, MIT, Caltech, etc.

9

Sigh.

10

Yes, SAT scores are slightly more important for internationals as it is difficult to compare grades over various countries. And yes, you are a solid applicant to the top universities, provided you have exceptional EC’s and essays.

11

It’s not so low you’d be cut, but admission to any university/LAC ranked in the top 25 is going to rest on how exceptional you are compared to other students from your region.
Right now, you look like many other top students from India. You need to do something a bit different (I suggested taking the Italian subject test, not just in jest… but it’d mostly involve working on ECs)

12

Taking the ACT when you already have a 2380 SAT is just silly. What would be your reasoning for doing that? As MYOS said, work on EC’s, your numbers alone wont get you into elite schools.

13

Ok got it. Thanks

14

Students admitted to schools like Stanford or MIT typically would be among the highest-ranking students in their HS classes. For example at Brown (which is a bit less selective than HYPS), 45% of admitted students are valedictorians or salutatorians (who in many cases are the top 2 students in their graduating classes.) At Dartmouth, nearly half of admitted students are valedictorians or salutatorians. Would your grades place you among the top 5% of students in your HS? How many students at your school with grades like yours get into “Ivy League, Stanford, MIT, Caltech, etc.” ?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/colleges-announce-2013-acceptance-rates/2013/04/01/bc546484-9adc-11e2-9bda-edd1a7fb557d_story.html

Even if you rank in the top ~5%, admission would not be assured. Getting into those colleges is not just a numbers game. Very high stats usually are necessary but not sufficient.

15

What are your ECs!!!1

16

ECs

  1. Pretty good with computers and programming. Mobile App developer. Have designed websites for many people. Have degrees in Multimedia softwares from the World Organisations. Have participated in several movie making competitions.
  2. Music - Keyboard for 9 years, finished grade 8 with distinction. Saxophone for 4 years, lead player in my school's brass band. Have participated in several national programs. I also compose and reproduce music often and I have a channel on youtube.
  3. Puzzles - Chess player, have participated in several competitions. Rubik's cube participated in a national event and secured a position in top 10 in the country.
  4. Sports - I was in my high school basketball team and have participated in several competitions. I often play squash too. I am also an athlete. I have also learnt Karate for 5 years unto the level of black belt.
  5. Other : Participated in the F! in schools competition and have reached the national level.

Internships

I have worked in two companies for 3 weeks each.

17

Tushar1010, Having high SAT scores is a good fit your chosen schools, but these schools look for someone who is different from the rest. There will be another 20K students applying with the same stats you have. But how good will be your essays depicting what you are as a person, as a leader. Since these schools will be asking for multiple essays your answers should tell a story about you and that is different from others. There is a chance for you to get in if you could an odd person with lot of promise. Best of luck for you.

18

@F1crazy‌ Thanks a lot :slight_smile:

19

@F1crazy‌
It is not like 20,000 people apply from India. You are probably exaggerating to get the point, but still.
2000 people might have those stats – maybe, out of which the collision might be 200?

20

Well, numbers indicate 109,000 Indian applicants. 45% with exact same profile as OP (STEM-based).