<p>If one scores low on the sat II how much does that affect admission?</p>
<p>yeah itll affect your admission bc colleges believe that sat2s are a better knowledge indicator than the sats, if you claim to be a straight a student in history, and get a 500 on the history sat2s, theyll be scratching their heads.</p>
<p>Depends, really. They say SAT IIs can only help you. But, if you did a horrific number on say Biology and that was your intended major, then that would look too good. A long as you have at least three decent scores it shouldn’t “hurt” you.</p>
<p>From what I have heard, they weigh SAT II’s more heavily than SAT’s because the only preparation you can have for them is what you have learned in school, whereas for SATs you can take all kinds of prep-courses and stuff, so they are a better indicator of how smart you REALLY are.</p>
<p>^^^ yeah exactly, thats what i was trying to convey as well. at least, thats what ive been told.</p>
<p>but u can take prep courses for sat2 also, so whats your point. the only different is that sat2 is knowledge based and sat1 is a reasoning test</p>
<p>I suppose you COULD take a prep course for SAT II’s, but I don’t know of many people who do since it is even more of a waste of money than the SAT I prep-course.</p>
<p>yeah and even if you do take a prep coourse, its just a completely different type of test. it would be like getting a tutor for any school class, whereas the sat is just some strange reasoning test that you can learn how to pass simply by learning kaplans ‘tricks’</p>
<p>valid point.</p>
<p>so if I have 540 for writing and 690 for physics and 780 for mathIIC…would those score really hurt my chance? (i’m an asian)</p>
<p>math and physics are good enough, i would retake writing if youve got time though.</p>
<p>Is English your first language?</p>
<p>The new SAT is going to include the Writing SAT II as part of… the SAT I. I’m not sure what my point is, but I think it has something to do with the fact that SAT IIs like Physics and US History are knowledge indicators, but SAT IIs like Writing and the Maths are still tests after the SAT I’s heart. They’re closer to the SAT I test as far as being trick-based. I know that has nothing to do with your situation, but I just wanted to point it out. </p>
<p>Other than your Writing score (which won’t make or break your case if you got a fair score on Verbal or even the ACT), I think you should be fine, except maybe if you indicated that your future major will be English with an emphasis on composition. You know? And as far as being Asian, I really doubt that any admissions officer expects all Asians to be incredibly proficient in “Asian”-type subjects. If you have strengths, personality, and passion, they will see that and accept you. “Well, he’s a fantastic mathmetician, and also an incredible dancer and singer, and he’s got the drive to succeed in whatever he does–but you know I like my Asians to be good in hard science. REJECT.”</p>
<p>690 is kinda low for physics because the percentile is kinda low. I wouldn’t worry as much about the writing test because that test is really flawed. I still don’t get how they score their essays and that an essay in 20 minutes can’t really measure how well you can write.</p>
<p>Yeah, totally. Especially since they are looking for simple structure and transtions; my practice book specifically said, “Don’t try to get fancy; don’t try to use complicated vocabulary; don’t try to use sophisticated setence structure; just get your point across as simply as possible.” How does THAT measure writing skill?</p>
<p>I’m non-native English speaker…it has been 3 years since I came to America…Will that explain my horrible writing score? plus, I’m taking TOEFL</p>
<p>what’s your verbal score? Are you applying EA? I think it’s fine if your native language isn’t English.</p>
<p>If you write a good essay (or heck, even just one that’s grammatically correct) it will counter the writing score. On the app you get to list your scores right? Just don’t list the scores you don’t want them to see. I’m pretty sure they just verify that the scores you sent are accurate and don’t record additional scores that you didn’t put down. So no worries.</p>
<p>Thanks!! 
my verbal score was 620 last oct. I hope I can get 650+ this Dec.
I agree with leely888!! (Yes, I know 690 is low…sigh)
It just takes a lot of time for me to write something in English!
Or maybe, that means that I’m not good enough for Stanford…I don’t know.</p>
<p>Okay, I have a question.
I spent so many days on the essays and I think they are pretty good(at least, to me). BUT since I have such a horrible writing score, will the adm ppl think that I cheated?
I mean…after spending that much time on them, I don’t want ppl to think that someone else wrote it for me.</p>
<p>well i’m pretty sure adcom ppl realize that students revise and rewrite their essays a lot…i’m sure they also know that the essays are usually read by teachers or other adults…but i guess don’t make them too fancy…somtimes…it’s best to write in simple language…it’s the idea that counts…!</p>