For SAT subject tests, I (also) do not recommend taking literature, which is very hard to score above the low 700s.
It seems like Williams is your best bet, if you apply ED.
I don’t know much at all about QuestBridge; there are some old posts on its pros and cons on CC.
I would not characterize the Asian-American male HS students in this country as (post #10) “… held to higher standards…”; rather, these students have higher test scores and GPAs than other demographic groups, so the task for an Asian-American male HS student to stand out among his peers is more challenging. Beware that holding onto this (misguided) belief that you are simply held to a higher standard, can erode your confidence and keep you from working at your future positively. You seem to be a smart, articulate and hardworking young man; apply to schools of your choices, including the reaches, and run your own race. I wish you the best.
I have already signed up for at 2 subject test spots this coming October and have acquired Prep material for Math 2 and Biology. However, I do have study material left over from my APUSH exam so I may go that route.
I am currently debating whether or not I should retake the SAT right now, as I got an 18 for my essay last month… I made a 10 point overall growth last test, and a 20 point growth for the superscore, so am deciding whether I should put in the practice for at least a 1530 SS…
Have you had your LORs lined up? Do emphasize to your teachers how important these LORs are for helping you with admission to these selective schools.
I think two subject tests are enough; your current choice of Math 2 and Biology is good. I think you stand a good chance in scoring a high 700s or 800 in SAT math 2. That said, in case that you do not already know: one can take as many as three subject tests on a single test day; you can add (on test day) a third test to the two for which you had signed up, and you can switch test subjects also. At this juncture, I suggest concentrating in getting the essays, short answers, and LORs ready for the potential EAs or ED.
@tgl2023 I have my essays pretty much finalized and am getting them proofread and polished.
My LORs may be slightly weaker because my teachers have ZERO experience writing letters for the caliber of school I am applying to this early round/questbridge… I have already asked several weeks prior (last year as well) and am assembling a packet with a guide to top 20 college LORs (my opinions) and my resume… so hopefully they will turn out alright.
Congratulations on having almost completed the essays. In preparation for the LORs, perhaps help your teachers to recall a specific event or two to best illustrate characters or traits that are outstanding about you. Also try not to describe (again) your accomplishments in a list format, neither in the LORs, nor in the essays, as these information are already available to the AOs in other sections of your applications.
Quick Question: does getting into the JHU Overnight fly-in have similar benefits as WOW. From what I have read online, it doesn’t seem so, even though they are paying for my flight. The application process was a lot easier as well, as it was just submitting my transcript and test score.
Fly-ins for the top schools with expenses paid are for the most part geared towards URM so congratulations on getting in and I would definitely go.
But any school with a 10% acceptance will be a reach for all students regardless of background and if it isn’t a special program, there probably will be no advantage or disadvantage either way for your application.
I think Williams has its eye on you so that would be the school I would focus on the most. If you are assured of merit/financial aid, ED there. It’s definitely one of the most prestigious LACs and you will probably get the personal attention that some larger schools do not have.
… if you do well there. Pre-med committee endorsement or strength thereof is dependent on how well you do in college and in expected pre-med activities.
Right. How many kids a college gets into med school is NO indication you will. They do not endorse every kid who starts college with med dreams. You pass through many rings of fire, some crushing.
It’s next to impossible to learn how many freshman med hopefuls actually got to the final stage in college. Rumors are that it’s a small percentage. Just looking at their stats (how many med school applicants got into one of their top 3 choices,) ignores the number who were weeded out, one way or another.
I am a huge fan of Williams, and I think you stand an excellent chance of getting into Williams based on your acceptance to and participation in WOW.
But different people will like different colleges. Williams is not for everyone, and some of its least happy students are those who applied to it just because it is ranked high. The happiest students apply to it because of its characteristics, not in spite of them. It is a small college with discussion-based classes, an intense workload, a close community, and a location in a rural mountainous area in four-season New England. Some will be drawn to it, some won’t.
Attend WOW. If you love it, great. But if you still prefer Stanford, there is no reason not to apply to your top choice. Then you can apply to Williams RD if you are deferred or rejected from Stanford.
Hey guys, just got my SAT 2s back. Math 2 800, Bio-eco 700, and 780 Chinese w/listening.
With the last available test dates, should I focus on pushing my Biology subject test up, my EBRW on my SATs past 750-760, or am I good in my stat scores to be considered for these schools?
Congratulations on doing well on your SATs. However, I don’t know about sending the Bio-eco. Are you applying for any of the early admission options? If so, and if you choose to try again, would the score for the November test arrive at the schools by their deadlines? If you plan to retake, do you know what held you back to a higher score in biology last time and do you how to improve? Williams seems to weigh an applicant’s SAT subject test scores the least, while Hopkins weighs them more.
@sgopal2 I am a QB finalist, and will be going that route the early round.
I have already sent my Bio-e to most of my QB schools… however, I will be retaking the bio subject this week, as well as December (since I didn’t have enough time to practice this month).
I am guessing that my lower Bio score was due to taking AP bio two years ago, and spending the two weeks prior to the subjects trying to relearn my stuff. Hopefully by December, I will have my knowledge down better in time for the RD round…
Would increasing my Bio score be the best route to go?
