Hi everyone, this is my first thread here and I just had to make one because I was really concerned. Please read through the post for the details
I’m applying to Exeter and Hotchkiss as an international applicant. I have shown my interest perfectly by mentioning all the awards I have won up to international level (space exploration.) . my cocurriculars are strong as well with activitues ranging from science competitions to MUNs to public speaking to business competitions.
My essays were based around one of these activities as well which is my passion and I have achieved the most here.
My academics are strong and I have got most As with a couple of Bs in my A levels …Please note Alevels are much rigorous compared to AP or anything and the Alevel grades sent to them show my transition from olevels to alevels (big difference, alevel is really tough. I had 10 olevel subjects with 5A* ). I have most challenging subjects which include practical work as well and I think my grades are good enough. I also have my French Delf A1/A2 certificates on which I passed with great scores. (91/100 and 76/100)
Moreover, I have perfect recommendations , I have worked with several NGOs and done alot of community service as well. My school report/ counsellor recommendation is great as well.
Now here is the problem. As I am applying to grade 11, I took the SAT 1 test for the standardized testing. The problem was that the test was super easy and percentile went way too high. Also I don’t know why, but somehow I messed up a bit as well, and wasn’t able to do my best. My scores with national percentile:
I know these scores are very low and I cannot retake the test. Can someone help me realize how much trouble I am in?
Also, I haven’t sent them the scores yet, so is there any alternative? Someone told me I can tell them I didn’t reciece my scores due to some reason, and retake the next test if they agree to consider my app without it. I know bluffing here isn’t right, but suggestions are welcome.
Sounds like you have excellent academic credentials and other ways of measuring your accomplishments. Not many teens are involved in space exploration so that will stand out! Hopefully the SAT score won’t be a big part of the decision. Don’t think about lying. That would be a big red flag in my mind. Character is important in this process and beyond!
The fact that you are considering lying is very disturbing. You have no choice but to send the scores. Also, how do you know your recommendations are perfect? Have you seen them?
This is an excellent commentary on why the SSAT, PSAT and SAT do and should matter. Grades can and do illustrate different things from school to school and student to student. Recommendations are usually going to be glowing…Perfect recs are all too common. To OP , my comments are not meant to imply that you are not qualified but the tests can validate the grades and the level of the underlying coursework as well as student intellectual potential and the grades can demonstrate consistent and motivation to do work but not necessarily the difficulty of the courses.
Just for clarification, I am not at all considering lying. I don’t agree with it neither do I support it. Nor will I ever do it. I just mentioned a suggestion that came up to me. @Leafyseadragon
@Center I think you don’t understand the pattern here.
When tests are easy, percentiles go way higher than average. Usually, for example, a couple of wrong questions in the maths section result in a loss of what, around 40 points max?
The test which I took was a recycled one, it was the same which was taken by U.S students in December 2015. Other than that, I personally believe that the test was easier than most of the 12 real practice tests I did prior to the test.
What I and my friends infer from this is that because of the curve, even a couple of mistakes resulted in a loss of 100 points staright away. I am personally sure I had a maximum of 3-4 wrong questions in all the maths sections, but still it resulted in a great loss of score.
But what’s done is done. I’m looking forward with more hope, better motivation and an open mind because life is nothing without ups and downs.
All I want to know is should I still keep my hopes high and fingers crossed for Exeter? I really want to go there:)
Also guys when I asked for an alternative, I was referring to someway I could retake the test or any other test in its place which would help me cover up these scores! Come on!
The scores probably reflect your aptitude relative to peers. Being in the 80th percentile is excellent but may not be good enough for schools used to seeing scores in the high 90s. Unfortunately we seem to have a cohort that has maxed out on the Lake Woebegone effect. Who would believe an entire generation (of those on College Confidential which I know is not representative of the entire young population) believes they are among the very top students in the country. it is also interesting to see how students play down evidence that they aren’t (my scores aren’t representative of my ability, my grades aren’t good cause I was not motivated or had problems/disabilities, my ECs are absent because I was interested in studying more). You have very good scores but not among the best in the US.
I know how percentiles work. Whatever you personally believe is irrelevant. These tests are calibrated based on a number of factors. Your scores are what they are. I do not believe you will be competitive for Exeter with those scores and being international. “Cover up your scores”? Astonishing attitude
I am glad to hear you were not considering lying. And if you had 2 sets of scores, or scores on the SSAT or ISEE which you could send instead, there would be no problem with not sending in this set. But given the application deadline has passed, I am not sure there is anything you can do. Aren’t A levels and O levels standardized tests? Can you report those scores if you haven’t already, just to show that your grades are representative of your performance on other tests?
There is no set answer to say how much those scores will affect the application. Truly outstanding academic schools such as Exeter may want to know why there is such a gap between your SAT’s and your actual transcript grades. They can also see that you have only taken the test once. Also, I can pretty much guarantee than an AP course at a school like Exeter would probably be more challenging than Alevel. I know someone at Andover who got great Alevel grades, but finds the AP’s she is taking now to be significantly more difficult. Just be ready for that if you are accepted. Best of Luck!
I am going to take that as a compliment. You clearly are bright and motivated but sometimes we aren’t the top at everything and we either work harder to we find opportunities that are a good match. There are many great schools that you could probably get into . Exeter and Hotchkiss are not the only good schools.
The odds of you getting into Exeter as an international Junior are extremely low, regardless of the perfection of your application. It’s just a numbers game - they might have one-three spaces. Just keep that in mind.
Since you are new here, I will point out that detailing personal information in usually not a good idea. I recognize that your intent was to show the many strengths of your application, but you may have unwittingly exposed yourself. A few years ago the director of admissions at a TSAO school dispelled a rumor right in this forum by commenting and saying exactly who he was and why he knew! Just be careful with what you post is my point.
You have done your best and your application is strong. Keep up the good work and you will have your answer in less than a month.
I was under the impression that Exeter admitted about 50 uppers (11th graders) each year. Or are you saying that out of those 50 there are only a few internationals? I have never seen that breakdown.
@HarvestMoon1 We were told at Revisit Day last year that DD was 1 of 15 new Juniors admitted so it looks like the number increased by a couple over the course of the summer if 17 is correct. Also, the Class of 2017 was overenrolled so it was a lower number admitted than usual but I don’t think the norm is anywhere close to 50.
