<p>Here is my dillemma. I don’t aim for HPYS, but rather for UT Austin engineering, Berkeley (out of state), maybe Carnegie Mellon and Caltech :)</p>
<p>Although I know the 75th percentiles SAT for Berkeley/UT are very achieveable (around 2100), I don’t know how more it would help for admission purpose to increase your SAT from, let’s say, a 2150 to a 2250-2300.</p>
<p>The reason is that my classs rank REALLY sucks, meaning I will be significantly disadvantaged compared to other students. I’m trying to make up with my SAT, so I’m probably aiming for as high as possible (around 2250). However, would my time be better spent on things like research, science competitions, and internships rather than SAT, if my ultimate and most reasonable goal lies at UT engineering/Berkeley engineering?</p>
<p>If you were me, what would you do?? What would be the best thing to further in my application?</p>
<p>Thanks for reading. I am eager to read your opinion!! :)</p>
<p>Here’s the thing. Unless you really BOMBED your SAT attempt, you’re not going to improve your score that much by studying for it. Isn’t Berkeley App due very soon? Just work really hard on your app and see what happens.</p>
<p>“Unless you really BOMBED your SAT attempt”</p>
<p>Well, my PSAT sophomore was when I “bombed” it (i.e. 183/240). It was because I was still foreign+not used to standardized testing. I improved a lot, so my PRACTICE BB tests now look like 2150 (adjusted 2100 for test stress). WIth some more practice, and possibly a Test Master course, I’m aiming for 2250-2300. I’ve heard people taking Test master and improving from 1750 to 2250.</p>
<p>BTW, I’m a junior, so I still have time to increase significantly :)</p>
<p>My main dilemma is how much increase should I attempt to OVERKILL my application (considering my weak ECs and class rank), and get 80% chance to get in?</p>
<p>Watson&Crick,
keep in mind that increasing from a 1750-2k+ is MUCH easier than increasing from 2100 to a 2250. The higher the score, the tougher it is to increase, but you are scoring pretty well (2150) on the practice tests, which is a GREAT score. If you wish to up it, all I can say is keep practicing cause when it comes down to it, there are a few questions in each section that could up your score to your goal.</p>
<p>Since you’re a junior you have a great opportunity to bring your class rank up by getting good grades this year. I’d advise you not to lose focus on your GPA as you look to improve in other areas.</p>
<p>“I’d advise you not to lose focus on your GPA as you look to improve in other areas.”</p>
<p>Even if I don’t lose focus, and get A+ on all 7 AP classes a year, the highest class rank I can get is top 15-20% (and my GPA would be 4.0 UW, 4.35 W) at the time of next year’s college application. This is because all my 9th grade foreign courses are not weighed, which messes up my Weighted GPA, and my class rank, even though I’m easily getting A+ on all the AP classes my school offers to me.</p>
<p>That’s why the SAT is so important to me, since it’s my only academic measure that has not yet been messed up by my register.</p>
<p>Oh, when you said your rank really sucked I assumed you had some not-so-great grades early in high school. Since that’s not the case, you probably just need to keep up the good work. Bear in mind that schools will look at your entire transcript in addition to class rank. Some schools recalculate GPA based on their own formulas rather than relying entirely on the high school’s. And some don’t give much consideration to freshman year. Best of luck.
[Why</a> Colleges Scoff At Your Kid’s GPA - WSJ.com](<a href=“http://online.wsj.com/public/article_print/SB105899458688282900.html]Why”>http://online.wsj.com/public/article_print/SB105899458688282900.html)</p>