I’m planning on applying to Cambridge for physics with the following:
4 5s and 1 4 on AP exams including BC Calc and Chemistry, and plan on taking 3 more this year. I’ve also taken up to Multivariable and Vector Calculus at a uni near me, and will taking physics mechanics and E&M this year, as well as differential equations and college stats.
Unfortunately, I’m forced to take the October SAT, and results will not be back in time for me to include them in my application. How much will this hurt me?
@KarnL3 are you attending HS in the U.S.? I just have to wonder why you didn’t take the SAT as a HS junior in the spring. And yes…I know we can’t wind the clock back.
Just in case this is an issue, I hope you have some other college options on your list.
On their webpage, while it doesn’t say required, it does say they are looking for a 1500 in some majors with a 750 math and 1460 in others with a 730 reading.
Others will give more info but it seems from that, you should take. But if you do, you must disclose regardless of score.
Are you attending a US school or an international school with a US curriculum?
Did you get an A in your college math courses?
What subject did you get a4 in?
Straight As in advanced Math +5s in both Physics& Chemistry would give you a fighting chance. The 4 or anything lower than an A in math would mean you’d be better off choosing other universities.
Why Cambridge and not Oxford?
As for the 4 others: What about Imperial and StAndrews? Durham? Manchester? UEdinburgh? Herriot Watt?
I really don’t know whether the 5 AP5s would suffice or if the SAT/act is required by the deadline. Typically advanced math and 5 AP 5 would matter most and I didn’t think SAT scores mattered all that much but OP should email asking about his/her situation wrt to scores arriving (early November) only.
However I’m also asking why Cambridge, since it doesn’t like American applicants much.
OP hasn’t taken physics yet. And without having met entry requirements, any offer would be conditional.
The challenge is at this point the best American applicants will have SAT scores. UCAS cannot later be updated with future scores.
The OP can certainly ask Cambridge for their perspective, but I’m more concerned about the OP’s ability to convey “Why Cambridge.”
I may be reading too much into this, but most successful applicants to Cambridge have been planning for the application process long before August and those American applicants would have known to get the SAT completed before the deadline. Brits, unlike Americans, are of the opinion that COVID was 4 years ago, so will no longer accept that as an excuse in university applications.
Wrt to SAT, it depends whether it’s treated like IGCSEs (must have well before deadline) or IELTS (must send during the year).
That being said, it’s still difficult to find test centers/dates in many places - that’s why even Ivy League universities have exemptions if it wasn’t possible to test - so OP may have a valid reason, but if Cambridge treats SAT scores as baseline IGCSEs where 750=7-9, then it wouldn’t matter, they wouldn’t even look at OPs application.