<p>“does any of you know someone who got a perfect score on their first try ?”</p>
<p>Yes. I had three students do this last year.</p>
<p>It’s interesting to note that there was a thread on the Harvard forum from a while ago describing how perfect 2400 scorers appeared to have a lower acceptance rate than applicants in the 2250-2390 range. From my own experience, having a 2400 is simply not enough for most schools. Admittedly, I was one of those stereotypical Asian applicants with perfect marks but I had a plethora of extracurriculars and interesting experiences to supplement grades and scores. There were 2 other 2400 scorers at my school; both were rejected from HYPMS. </p>
<p>TLDR version: a 2400 alone will not guarantee admission into any elite university</p>
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<p>Thats what seems to be bothering me. The fact that if I get 2400 I just might be stereotyped for the nerdy Asian kid. Hmm, looking at your profile I saw that you did get accepted at Harvard. Thats an achievement, even more when youre an Asian. Respect. HYPMS is what I am aiming at too, more specifically Harvard.</p>
<p>I understood your point there and I dont really think I have a plethora of extracurriculars , I do have some Gold Medals from Olympiads (Maths, Cyber etc), state level medals & trophies from sports I play and some other stuff. Would that be fine or should I abandon my hopes of making it into HYPMS altogether?</p>
<p>Also, if you do not mind, can I PM you from time to time? Seeing that you are an Asian too, i thought you just might be able to help me out and point me in the right direction, since I am pretty much clueless about all this? Thanks. :)</p>
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<p>Its like I got SO Much to do ! :P</p>
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<p>Oh thanks. Could you impart some tips to me too about the SATs and what I could do to get a perfect score? And what should be the ideal amount of time I study for it?</p>
<p>And thanks everyone for helping me out, College Confidential really is a pretty helpful site :)</p>
<p>Hey guys I wanted to ask everyone here that is it necessary to give AP tests in order to apply for the the Ivies or MIT ? And also does it affect my prospects of getting admitted ?
Thanks in advance !</p>
<p>AP Scores are not required for admission.</p>
<p>I think people who have 2400 think they are shoo-in for Harvard and don’t take application and essays seriously.</p>
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<p>But Ive read so many posts up here where children are taking tons of AP tests 
It certainly would give one an advantage would it not ?</p>
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<p>Maybe but I know applications and essays are very important, though right now for me atleast, getting a good score in the SAT is the first hurdle :)</p>
<p>ALSO, what subject tests are required for Economics or Engineering ?</p>
<p>Guyinblue, you seem confused. You’re an international applicant who didn’t attend a school that offers APs. Admission officers will take that into consideration. Nobody will blame you if you don’t take APs or whatever. Actually, I’d say the AP tests are easier than the Class XII tests (many exams are harder than the APs). However, you still need to ace the SAT and SAT II. The only things in your control now are your SAT results, essays and activities in the upcoming year.</p>
<p>Taking APs in your case will show initiative and nothing more. If you think taking 8 APs after graduating from high school will impress anyone, you’re mistaken. That would be an average work load for a freshman at college (someone your age). Taking 14 will make you seem like someone who has nothing better to do than complete freshman-level courses. Do something more productive with your time. I suggest interning or volunteering. If you still feel the need to study, try learning advanced mathematics for your future major. I’d be far more impressed by someone who knows partial differential equations upon matriculation than someone who took a bunch of APs in material he already covered.</p>
<p>Most engineering schools want a math and a science subject test. There are no special exams or requirements for econ, as far as I know. However, some business schools want a math subject test.</p>
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<p>I would be lying if I said I am not. Unfortunately there are a very few number of schools in India that offer AP Courses. Infact I dont seem to remember any. An IB Program too is very “uncommon” here. As you might be knowing most of the schools here are under the affiliation of CBSE, a National Education Board. Anyhow as far as volunteering and interning go, unfortunately we cannot do community service here unlike the States. (which sucks) So I was simply thinking that giving AP tests would get me a fair deal of college credits?</p>
<p>And for the advanced mathematics, I already know Partial Differentiation and Calculus pretty well. :)</p>
<p>Okay then i will be taking Math And Science Subject Tets. Thanks a lot for that info 
Appreciate it :)</p>
<p>Regards</p>
<p>I completely understand your situation, guyinblue. I took a gap year, during which I took my SATs and a number of APs, after finishing high school. Moreover, I’m also an international student, so I understand how difficult it’s to find non-academic activities to partake in. </p>
<p>The easiest way to find schools that offer APs is to ask the CollegeBoard directly. You should receive a list of all schools in your area. You then need to contact those schools one by one. Some schools will refuse to offer you a seat because of some annoying policies. Ignore those schools. Continue going through the list until you find a suitable school. If there are none, you will have to widen your scope of search or just give up. </p>
<p>If your goal is to get college credit, the APs might not be as much help as you think. Whether you receive credit completely depends on the university’s policies. Most top tier schools don’t give much credit. Even if you receive credit, you’ll still have to fulfill your humanities requirement or whatever. On a tangent note, a lot of universities offer placement tests in mathematics and other subjects. Perhaps you should just take some of those. Another alternative is the CLEP. However, I don’t know any top private schools that give credit for the CLEP.</p>
<p>You need to find something to do in your gap year, man. A lot of schools will ask you to write about what you plan to do in your gap year. If you state nothing other than study, you will give people a negative impression. I don’t care how you do it, but you need something to fill your time. Ask your parents to get you some kind of internship. If they can’t, try your uncles and aunts. If you still have nothing, perhaps you can volunteer to become a tutor. </p>
<p>I meant partial differential equations as in Fourier series and transforms, not partial derivatives. If you do know Fourier series, I’m impressed. If not, still, it’s great that you are ahead of even those who took calculus BC.</p>
<p>Ahh, your story sounds just like mine Cardgames.!
Is it really tougher for Internationals ? And how did your SAT Result turn out? 
(Hope im not being too nosy) 
Exactly my point, had it not been my gap year and a regular high school year I am sure I would have managed to get some activities going.</p>
<p>Yes, there was a certain school I asked but they said they had to follow guidelines or whatever and could not give me a seat. I did not know about that, I will contact College Board, lets see what turns up.</p>
<p>Humanities requirement is what’s putting up a barrier for me. I am actually thinking of tutoring children in co ordination with NGOs, would that count as humanitarian work/community service ?</p>
<p>I think a sport and a internship should do it. Yes I believe that if I tell people that I took a gap year and the ONLY thing I did was study all the time, they would perhaps think I am too focused on my marks, to such an extent that I do not indulge in any other activities and do not have a life.
I’ll try ringing up people asking for internships. Thanks :P</p>
<p>Fourier series? I am sorry I dont know what that is. But certainly I will learn PDE, thanks a lot for the tip :)</p>
<p>In general, yes, getting admitted as an international student is more difficult. However, context matters greatly. Applicants from less prominent countries will experience less competition than those from countries like China and India. In addition, because colleges want to diversify their student bodies, applicants from the lesser known countries might receive preferential treatment. Unfortunately, luck is not on your side in this situation. </p>
<p>As far as I know, financial aid is always tougher on international applicants.</p>
<p>I believe you are confused. Volunteering is not a requirement to enroll at any American educational institution (as far as I know). When I mentioned the humanities requirement, I was referring to the obligatory social science course universities make their students take. Yes, many students who attend top schools have done volunteer work, but it isn’t mandatory. Anyway, yes, tutoring children is community service. Do it if you want to.</p>
<p>You don’t have to learn PDEs. I just suggested something that you’ll probably learn if you become an engineer or a math-oriented economist. The message I was trying to send is learn something advanced and new if you have free time. Doing so would show initiative and might impress admission officers. There are many subjects and topics you can choose from. If there’s one thing I regret not learning in high school or my gap year, I guess it would be programming with Microsoft Office (macros, VBA and all that mumbo jumbo).</p>
<p>Oh. Yes indeed, I believe luck has deserted me in the moment I need it the most. But it never has really supported me either so I believe Ill just grind it out and HOPE to make it through.</p>
<p>Yes, that seems to be another problem for me, even though SAT and SAT II is my first hurdle. Financial Aid is what really worries me. Due to the fact that I cannot afford the full tuition fees of the Ivies, I cannot apply for Cornell, which seems to be the easiest (in relative comparison, no offence) one to get into.
However if I am not mistaken, I believe HYP MIT and another one I cant remember grant 100 pc need based aid to internationals too? I checked that on their Fees Calculators that they have on the sites.</p>
<p>Yes I AM YES I AM! I didnt know about that 
Could you tell me more about the obligatory Social Science course? I do not seem to have any idea of it.</p>
<p>I understood what you meant. That learning it would certainly give me an edge because people will see the fact that I am ready to take initiative. And since Engineering and Economics are my two choices I shall study it. I got your message
Oh I do know VBA programming hehe. :P</p>
<p>You seem to be so experienced. Thankyou :D</p>
<p>Hi there guys I wanted to ask you people , which books are the best for SAT ?
Ive heard Princeton Review is good. I would prefer a book that has a higher difficulty level than the SAT so that SAT seems comparitively easy , and so I can actually perform better. Thanks.</p>
<p>Please dont hold back and share your opinions :|</p>
<p>Can someone recommend some nice books for CR ?
My Maths is fine, but CR and Writing are where I lag 
CR more than writing. I manage to do well in writing. :|</p>
<p>And , can I really get a 2200+ if I practice and solve SAT papers? 
I always thought practice wasnt so important !</p>
<p>@guyinblue</p>
<p>You would be mistaken if you thought practice wasn’t so important. Practice is actually VERY IMPORTANT if not crucial to improving your SAT score. If you practice and work very very very hard, you can get a 2200+. I can’t personally give you expert advice, because I am not an expert yet. I have heard that Barron’s SAT prep book is a bit harder than the real thing. From my experience, it also has an excellent word list. For most or all of the help you might need at this stage, visit the thread at the top of the SAT Preparation forum of this website. It is titled: “IMPORTANT: Everyone, read this before posting: Best of SAT Prep Forum and FAQs”</p>
<p>Good Luck. :)</p>