<p>SAT scores for seas are usually higher, i think?</p>
<p>Is this score uncompetitive?</p>
<p>I don’t think I want to take it again…
I took this almost two years ago, and haven’t practiced since, and don’t really want to. So, I was wondering if this score would be uncompetitive.</p>
<p>2230 if fine. Basically, visit each school’s common data set and you’ll find out what they value in an application (usually those categories labelled “very important/important”). For nearly every Ivy these things include rigor, class rank, GPA, Essays, ECs, Character etc.</p>
<p>Basically, there are academic and non academic components to an application. 2230 is an acceptable SAT score. Worry more about the other categories of admission than the 2250+ that is usually recommended for Ivies.</p>
<p>I know that a 2230 is a good enough score for most top 20 schools. I’m an international student, and I personally know most of the people from here who got into top schools in the US, and all of them had something similar (usually less than 2200). It is assumed here that a 2100 score is good enough for us, and we have seen that it is the case when people apply and get accepted to top colleges (YES even the Ivies).</p>
<p>(the ones who get in write exceptional essays, have great ECAs, and are really likeable people as far as any reader would be able to say from their essays, so that’s why they are in)</p>
<p>What I’m worried about is the SEAS. I read the data in a website that lists SAT scores by school, and SEAS had a much higher score than CC. For engineering applicants, I think the scores would matter marginally more (?). Also given the fact that Columbia is experiencing a serious rise in applicants, which causes its admit rate to fall, which then causes the ranking to rise, and, thus, more people apply. So, more internationals would/and have been applying. So, wouldn’t it be in the college’s interest to take applicants with higher scores? What I mean is that a higher SAT score of admitted students would also allow a rise in ranking, which is in the best interests of the college (more so for this college than others, as it is experiencing ever-increasing reputation outside the US). Nobody I know from my country has gotten into Columbia SEAS in the past few years, so I can’t really draw any conclusions from past events.</p>
<p>Let’s be real for a second. I’m rambling.</p>
<p>To OP: you need to remember that scores are NOT the only criterion on which admissions decisions are made at either Columbia College or SEAS. Other components of your application will also be crucial, such as high school transcript, course rigor, ECs, letters of recommendation, essays… You seem NOT to understand Columbia’s holistic admissions philosophy, which is to look at the totality of a student’s application package. Please go to the Columbia website and review the information on how Columbia SEAS makes its holistically-informed admissions decisions. </p>
<p>Columbia does not need to BOOST its rankings by accepting on score alone. It looks for something beyond mere scores in selecting members of its freshman classes. It is not in the best interest of Columbia, either CC or SEAS, to simply admit students with high scores. Columbia is looking for more indices of talent and excellence and character than those signified by ACT and SAT scores alone.</p>
<p>Are you also aware that you need two SAT II scores in addition to your SAT I? Because your current SAT I puts you in the ballpark, you need to be more concerned at this time with doing well on the SAT II subject tests, which in the case of a SEAS applicant should be a math and a science. </p>
<p>You will be looked at not only in the context of other applicants, but also in the context of other international applicants. Therefore, the best we can advise you is to be the very best applicant you can be on every measure, so as to compete well in the applicant pools. Tests are not the only way to distinguish yourself. Remember this! So, work on the rest. Do your very best and apply. That is all we can say, as no one can legitimately “chance” you. Give yourself the best chance you can by working on all aspects of your application. And be sure you have several back-up schools as admission – no matter WHAT your credentials – is very competitive, thus there cannot be any guarantees, for anyone!</p>
<p>@swingtime.
thanks for the reply. I have perfect SAT IIs, and straight As, maybe one B in total on my transcript. I do understand Columbia’s holistic admissions policy, and am applying to Columbia for engineering mainly because of my interest in the Core, and how SEAS students are more well-rounded than many other well-known engineering schools. so, I’m well aware that the admissions process is holistic, and more so for SEAS. But then again, most students who apply would have good apps, and top scores. My SATs might put me in 25-40th percentile.</p>
<p>(Sigh) </p>
<p>I guess I hate the SAT too much to study for it again. So I guess it all comes down to essays, and how I portray my ECAs.</p>
<p>I think you sound very competitive, as is, although let me add again: no guarantees! I really don’t think you need to take the SAT I again. So don’t! With your other stats it is simply not necessary. Just work on the other components of the app (and work on that broader list of colleges). GOOD LUCK!!!</p>