<p>I have a 34 on my ACT, I am a two time state qualifier on my varisty wrestling team, I studied history in Israel for 2 months, I have been working in a lab as, for all intensive purposes, a grad student at the university of missouri st. louis for the past month and a half, my gpa is a 3.8, i have taken numerous leadership positions in various youth groups as well as started a number of social justice and activist groups, I have held a job for over a year, and numerous other things. my question is this: despite all of these things and others, will the fact that my school’s teaching style directly conflicts with the approach taken by the sat II’s (and thus resulting in mediocre scores) hurt my admissions chances?</p>
<p>Matzahballer,</p>
<p>SAT Subject Test scores are factored in different ways for each college. Some do not require SAT Subject Tests scores (i.e., Emory University recommends them but don’t require them). Some colleges don’t require SAT scores at all, Reasoning Test or Subj Tests. Some colleges, especially for enrollment in Fall of 2007, want to see ACT with Writing. For each school that you have interest, go to each school’s freshman admissions site and look at requirements… AND… then try to find that school’s “Common Data Set” to identify the important admissions criteria and their respective weighting.</p>
<p>Regarding the discrepancy of a school’s teaching style and the format of an SAT Subject Test, I’m afraid there’s not much leeway to be forgiven for “mediocre scores” due to this type of conflict. Better to acknowledge that this is the case and then do some self-study and preparation for each of the Subject Tests you want to take. Assuming you take about 3 tests, and most schools look for 2 scores, it’s not an extraordinary amount of preparation to go through. For Math Level 2 in particular, it is helpful to pick up a book that allows you the repetitive test problem practice. Although it’s discouraging at times, try not to fall into a defeatist attitude and come up with excuses for yourself… instead work positively toward your goal. Good luck to you!</p>
<p>thanks for the advice. Any idea regarding Columbia University in particular?</p>
<p>I’ll save you the effort… this time only! ;)</p>
<p>You can find the relevant information at Columbia’s website:
<a href=“http://www.studentaffairs.columbia.edu/admissions/applications/firstyear.php[/url]”>http://www.studentaffairs.columbia.edu/admissions/applications/firstyear.php</a></p>
<p>How good are you in wrestling? Did you know that Columbia has perhaps the oldest collegiate wrestling tradition in the U.S. If you are indeed good (state-level accomplishments), and depending on the needs in your weight class, it might be worthwhile to compile a DVD of yourself and make contact with Columbia’s wrestling coach.</p>
<p>I’ve been to that website many times, but it does not give any ideas as to how much mediocre subject test scores may negate my other strong points.</p>