SAT
Stay on Top of Testing!
Did you know that the November 1st Subject Tests are the only time to take language tests with the listening component? It’s not too late to sign up — the late registration deadline is around October 10th. Subject tests are a key part of the selective admissions process and most top colleges require three strong SAT Subject Test scores. You know you are ready for the language listening tests if you’ve had three years of language study, are a native level speaker or have spent time abroad studying the target language.
Standardized Test Scores and Applications
Now that most students are finishing up both their early and regular applications, we have some more general points to keep in mind. One of our students just complained that you can’t send official AP scores online — you have to call! Isn’t that odd since both AP’s and SAT I/Subject Tests are brought to you by the same company, the College Board. In any case, that means that when you send your official scores (which you HAVE to do — they will NOT take your word for it!), you have to send your SAT I’s and Subject Tests online, but then use the phone to send your AP scores. They must just want to hit you up twice for $! Thanks, College Board. The CollegeBoard.com site says: To request that your score reports be sent to colleges, call (888) 308-0013 or (609) 771-7366 (outside the United States, U.S. territories, or Canada) on or after July 4.
ACT Testing
After the transcript, colleges give most weight to test scores. At schools like Dartmouth and Columbia, the average verbal SAT score is about 730, and the average math is 735. That’s typical at all the top schools although, Cornell and Brown can be a bit lower, Harvard, Yale, Princeton a bit higher. Clearly in order to get into this top category of schools, you MUST have strong test scores. Typically on SAT Subject Tests, most students aiming for top colleges earn over 740 on three SAT II tests. All the unhooked students we have worked with who have gotten into Dartmouth, Harvard, Princeton, Columbia, Yale have tended to have 740 and up critical reading, 730 and up in math and 730 and up in writing.
Some schools, however, will accept the ACT in lieu of SAT Subject Tests.
An Important SAT Preparation Strategy (That almost everybody overlooks!)
By: Mike Barrett
Application Boot Camp SAT Guru
Everybody knows that taking practice tests is an important part of getting
ready for the SAT. And most people know that you should only use real
practice tests written by the College Board, instead of fake questions
written by companies like Kaplan or The Princeton Review.
New SAT Policy — Breaking News!
Good news! Finally, the College Board announced today that starting in March of 2009, SCORE choice will be back! Hooray! That means that from now on, anyone who is NOT a senior will be able to pick and choose exactly which SAT I and II tests (subject tests) to send to colleges. This is great as there will not be a penalty to take a test for “practice” as no one will see it!
Congratulations Everyone!
Michele’s students had record breaking acceptances in the early round of college admissions results for the Class of 2014.
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Ivy League Admissions Statistics
Our exclusive data on the Class of 2014 Ivy League Admissions statistics, now updated for Early Action and Early Admissions for the class entering 2010. See exactly how many students applied and how many were accepted to different schools.
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Michele Talks About College Admissions on Good Morning America
View Michele's appearance on Good Morning America with George Stephanopolous and read the ABC News article, Battle College Acceptance Anxiety With These Tips, that features advice from Michele.
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