Hello, so I’m applying to Princeton REA with the deadline coming fast, as an international student.
I’ve had 1440 on my first sat (730RW/710M), and another session in December (which is obviously after the REA deadline). My big concern is, should I submit a 1440 to show I haven’t horribly failed it, or should I apply test-optional ?
I feel like half of the people say to not submit under 25th percentile, while the other say to always submit a 1400+ to show that at least you didn’t get something like a 1300
Also I think they can see I have another SAT in December and that might be in favour of being defered to RD, maybe
Apart from this, I’m in the french system with +18/20 in basically every subject
As I mentioned in another forum, as an unhooked International applicant I would probably submit that score, but you could also consider just not applying REA. I am personally skeptical there is any sort of boost at Princeton for applying REA as an unhooked International.
If you have been prepping for the test and think it’s likely you will increase your score, I would wait until RD. If you decide you really want to apply SCEA then I would lean towards submitting that score. And I know you didn’t ask, but make sure you have a balanced college list and do not wait to submit additional apps until you hear from Princeton (if you end up applying SCEA.)
My standard answer is that while Princeton is test optional, for all intents and purposes, it isn’t test optional for you - or any international. International seats are limited, and the international acceptance rate is a fraction of the domestic rate. The internationals who get accepted will have an outstanding application - complete with test scores.
I’m of the wait til RD and see if you get your score up because I think you have little chance with this score (really any score) but you do need a higher score, so I wouldn’t apply TO.
I am going to go against the grain & advise you to apply test-optional. Even if you were to retake the SAT, you likely wouldn’t score >1500. Approximately 20-25% of students do not submit standardized test scores to Princeton, which is a sizeable percentage.
I pulled some information online regarding the French grading system since I am completely unfamiliar with it.
Getting 18/20 or higher in basically every subject in the French system places you at an extraordinary, top-tier level—effectively in the top 1% to 2% (or higher) of students nationwide. Consistently getting 18/20 means you are a premier de la classe (top of your class) and a strong candidate for elite academic tracks.
If this is indeed true & Princeton is your top choice, you might as well apply REA. Your current SAT score is not top 1-2%. My advice, do not submit!
Also, keep this in mind, assuming you reside in France. The number of undergraduate students from France from 2022-2025 has been between 3 & 7.
Which was for the class entering 2025 when most top schools were still test optional. For Fall 2027, Princeton is the exception, and for Fall 2028, they’ll no longer be test optional.
I am very familiar with it, so my advice - which isn’t changing - was with that in mind. The OP has cleared the academic bar, but that’s just one part of the application.
Actually, if they just focus on math, they could get an increase. They might want to wait and apply RD, since I’m also of the opinion that REA offers no acceptance advantage.
Which basically means 1-2 get accepted this year. I’m going out on a limb and say there will be more than 2 French applicants with similar academics who have test scores.
Outside of extreme environmental barriers, applying without an SAT score raises immediate concerns. Rightly or wrongly, reviewers will assume it indicates a low score or a lack of initiative.
They’re not really running out of time. The REA deadline is artificial, assuming it’s no lift. If they believe they will do better on the next test, then why wouldn’t they wait?
Why would one submit what may be an inferior score for their chances when they don’t need to ??
I understand but if there is no REA lift, then all you are getting is an earlier decision.
So if you think your application can be strengthened with the December test, why would you submit now?
The odds of this student getting into Princeton are slim. If they SAT goes up 60 or 80 points, they’re still slim - but less so.
So OP isn’t really running out of time - only if they want to rush things to get an earlier answer. But if they don’t get in and take the Dec SAT and do better, they’ll have a life full of “what if” ahead of them.
If they don’t improve, the RD decision is going to be the same as the REA decision would have been.
Personally, I never believe this. By applying REA, especially at a private school, the applicant is signaling that Princeton is the top choice. By applying RD, some other school is the top choice. (Harvard, Yale, Oxford, Cambridge, Paris, n/a …fill in the blank)
I know not everyone does but I tend to believe what the school’s say - from the Princeton SCEA or early action as they call it - from the website. I’m looking at the last sentence, which I bolded. I get it though - others think what they school’s say isn’t…necessarily the actual thing. I tend to be trusting.
Why was my application deferred?
Many strong applicants are deferred and reconsidered in context of the regular decision pool, with the additional information provided by mid-year grades. There is no advantage to apply early action to Princeton and competition for early admission to Princeton is especially rigorous.
I can’t imagine that Princeton is particularly worried about yield. Demonstrated interest is marked “not considered” on their CDS, which backs this up. It’s a weak if not even totally irrelevant reason to apply REA if the applicant has a chance to materially improve their application for RD. By contrast, standardized test scores are marked “very important”.
I think the answer depends on what else you bring to the table in terms of EC’s, contributions, personal story and so on. I would submit the score if you want to apply early.
I am fully aware of this. However, what’s the point of offering an early admissions program? Why not Round 1, Round 2, Round 3, as many business schools do? The answer is to assist admissions & enrollment & not so much to benefit the applicant.
I interpret this as counting as very important only for applicants that opt to submit test scores during an approved TO cycle.
For schools like Princeton, I think REA is in part about recruited athletes, in part about alum relations, in part about getting in early on marketing to highly desired admits, and in part about keeping up with the Jones. Like Princeton doesn’t want only Yale and Harvard to be able to market early to any highly desired admits.
No motive like this requires Princeton to admit anyone REA they would not also admit RD.
Some further context: Back in 2007, Harvard eliminated SCEA because they felt it disadvantaged certain segments of the applicant pool. Princeton - which had ED at the time - followed suit. The result? Applicants applied REA to places like Yale and Stanford instead. As a result, both Harvard and Princeton reintroduced SCEA in 2011.
IMO, the SCEA advantage for the student is, if accepted, they don’t have to write 29 essays over Christmas. That’s it. There is no admissions advantage in my mind
