please I'm desperate! My SAT is down the floor

Test Preparation
1

<p>Now I’m a senior in High School and in a tough predicament because I want to go to a good college that will get me into a good MED school.
But my grade don’t help.
Here is how it plays out so far.</p>

<p>My high School GPA about 3.8
Member of chess club 3 year
Member of intract club 2 years
Member of Lasalian Youth 3 years—Secratary for this club.
Member for the National Honor Society for 2 years.
On the yearbook comittee.
I’ve worked for 8 years at a local pharmacy.
And have studied matrial arts for 9 years and am I black belt.</p>

<p>Well I’ve taken two SAT’s so far…</p>

<p>The frist I got:
Math 540
Writing 480
CR 540</p>

<p>Second time around
Math 570
Writing 540
CR 520</p>

<p>I took one SAT subject test and it was for Mathematics level 1
On that I scored a 500.</p>

<p>I really need to boost to boost my SAT’s, is there a book out on the market that higlights the most common mistakes? Maybe I can capitalize on that?
Btw does being a black belt help? — Maybe it shows dedication?</p>

<p>The schools I’ve been looking at are (in no particular order):
SUNY Stoneybrook
SUNY Albany
John Hopkins
Boston University
New York University
Mass. College of Pharmacy.</p>

<p>So what do you guys think my chances are?
Are there any other colleges on the eastern sea board that you guys can recommend I look into?</p>

2

<p>I would suggest trying the ACT, if at all possible. </p>

<p>It could just be a test format thing.</p>

3

<p>Hopkins and NYU would both be pretty big reaches for you. All the other ones i think you have a chance at.
but ya…try the ACT and see how you do on that would be my advice as well.</p>

4

<p>What would be a good target ACT score to get?
And extracericulars in high school are those good enough?
Does being a black belt mean anything… like eagle scout?</p>

5

<p>good ACT score for top colleges like JHU would be 32 + 33 preferebly… for some of those colleges its a bit lower .</p>

6

<p>It isnt about what are good ECs…it is about what you are passionate about and how you put yourself across to the admissions counselors. You could be the president of 10 clubs, and eagle scout, a blackbelt, and have 2000 hours of service work somewhere and get rejected.<br>
There is no such definition as a “good EC”…any EC can be good if you have put lots of time into it and you are passionate about it. Moreso…you are able to convey that yuou have a passion.</p>

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<p>Anything else I can do to try to bump my chances and grades up?</p>

8

<p>have you been studying or reviewing for the SATs at all? since your scores are a bit low, it could be easier to improve within a short time period.</p>

9

<p>^I dont see how a blackbelt would help at all, especially since the “martial art” has not been specified. It might be noteworthy if you won some national competitions - other than that it’s probably worthless. Black belts don’t mean anything, especially when they can be so easily attained in such “martial arts” as karate and such. Decorations and recognition would probably be interesting ECs…such as being a Golden Gloves winner or something.</p>

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<p>You should think about applying to some schools that are “SAT optional.”</p>

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<p>Newken1… are you kidding?</p>

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<p>Could you be making a lot of careless mistakes in your SATs because you are rushing or too tired? Check your original post and see how it reflects your grades in Writing and CR. Breathe deeply and pace yourself.</p>

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<p>not trying to sound horribly pessimistic, but with those SAT scores, your chances at John Hopkins and NYU are about 0%… my brother got waitlisted with a 2240 and he was extremely qualified all around (pres of class and what not). and at BU, id say you have about a 10% chance.</p>

<p>in other words, you RLY need to improve. best of luck to you</p>

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<p>If your brother was very qualified to go there, why was he rejected?</p>

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<p>he was rejected even though he was well qualified because there are many many MANY well qualified students who apply to schools nowadays. Being “qualified” is the bare minimum and it doesnt set you apart. </p>

<p>Your scores are gonna kill you in admissions. There really is nothing you can do but try to improve. I know it doesnt accurately reflect your ability but thats the way it is.</p>

16

<p>Sorry, but you should forget about JHU, NYU and even BU.</p>

<p>Just curious, how are you ONLY a black belt if you took the same martial arts for 9 year? You should be at least 3rd degree at the least.</p>

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<p>Also, how have you been able to help at a pharmacy for 8 years?
If you’re a senior now, you would be about 17/18.</p>

<p>That would mean that you started this work when you were 9/10?</p>

<p>They actually allowed you to help?</p>

18

<p>Hey OP,</p>

<p>From your info, I’m going to guess that you’ve been working at a family pharmacy, that you might not be a native speaker, and that you’re looking at continuing in the sciences and possibly pharmacy in the future: am I right, or did I miss my guesses?</p>

<p>Mass College of Pharmacy is a good bet: your SATs scores shouldn’t hold you back there.</p>

<p>There are a number of schools that don’t require the SAT, as another poster has mentioned. They tend to be more liberal-artsy, but given your grades, they might still be a good choice. Several of them are on the EC. There’s another thread about these schools:</p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-act-tests-test-preparation/424872-list-750-colleges-don-t-require-sats.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-act-tests-test-preparation/424872-list-750-colleges-don-t-require-sats.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>In the meantime, I’d say that your SAT scores can definitely come up with practice and study. Spend some time on this forum figuring out how, and where, to prepare. </p>

<p>Best of luck to you!</p>