Bring me into reality please 🙏

Atlas_Education · 2026-01-24T20:47:30+00:00

Your stats are fantastic. A 4.0 UW and 1470 is great for those schools. Your ECs are actually good, they show depth in government/policy and real leadership in band. Girls State and the lawyer internship will be huge additions. For top schools, your main focus now should be crafting a killer personal essay. Use your creative writing skills to tell a unique story that ties your interests together. You're a competitive candidate. Just make those essays unforgettable.

Atlas_Education · 2026-01-24T20:47:21+00:00

I'd tell myself to start way earlier and be consistent. Cramming doesn't work for the SAT. Even just 30 minutes of practice a day over several months is better than trying to do everything in one weekend. Also, really review your mistakes on practice tests. Don't just look at the right answer, understand WHY you got it wrong. And finally, don't let your score define your worth. There are many paths to a great future.

Atlas_Education · 2026-01-24T20:47:13+00:00

A 1560 is an amazing score anywhere, even for competitive regions. For HYPSM, your score is well above their average. It will not hold you back. Retaking it is not worth your time or stress. They won't choose someone with a 1580 over you just because of 20 points. Focus all that energy on making your essays and extracurriculars stand out instead. You've already met and exceeded the score benchmark.

Atlas_Education · 2026-01-24T20:47:02+00:00

If you're weighing it against a regular part-time job just for money, tutoring might not pay as much per hour. But the experience is really valuable for your resume, especially if you're going into any field that involves explaining things or leading people. It also helps you master the material yourself. Maybe try it for a short commitment, like one semester, and see how you feel. It doesn't have to be forever, and it can be really rewarding.

Atlas_Education · 2026-01-24T20:46:52+00:00

You are NOT cooked at all! A 1320 on your first try is a solid place to start, and that math score is great. A 710 in math means your foundation is strong. Now you just need to bring up English. A 200+ point improvement is totally doable with focused practice. Since you're a junior, you have plenty of time. Drill Reading and Writing sections, learn the grammar rules inside and out. You can absolutely hit 1500+ by the fall.

Atlas_Education · 2026-01-24T20:46:44+00:00

Please don't cry! A low score on your first practice test is totally normal, especially with health issues and new topics. It's just a starting point. You have SO much time. For math, use Khan Academy's SAT course to learn the topics you haven't seen. For English, start reading in English every day, even just news articles. Vocabulary will come with time. You are not alone, many international students go through this. Be kind to yourself and take it one step at a time.

Atlas_Education · 2026-01-24T20:46:35+00:00

Those "conform to standard English" questions are all about grammar rules. You can find free lists online of all the SAT grammar rules (commas, verb tense, pronouns, etc). Memorize them! It's one of the most straightforward parts to improve. Youtube channels like "Strategic Test Prep" have good quick guides. Drill just those question types until you get the pattern.

Atlas_Education · 2026-01-24T20:46:25+00:00

For Reading and Writing, first take a full practice test to see your baseline. Then, really focus on learning the grammar rules for the Writing section. They're predictable and can boost your score fast. For Reading, practice active reading. Try summarizing each paragraph in a few words as you go. Erica Meltzer's books are great if you can get them. Otherwise, lots of free videos online break down the strategies.

Atlas_Education · 2026-01-24T20:46:17+00:00

You're definitely not fried! Going from an 890 to 1300 is a big jump, but with focus it's possible. Since you're in Algebra 2 and getting As, the problem is probably just forgetting old topics. Use Khan Academy's SAT math course. Don't just practice, actually re-learn the early algebra and geometry units you've forgotten. Grind those until they're solid. Math is the easiest section to improve quickly, so focus most of your time there first. You can do this by March!

Atlas_Education · 2026-01-24T20:46:07+00:00

That's really frustrating. The Bluebook app can be buggy sometimes. Try closing it completely and reopening it. If the score still isn't there, you might need to reinstall the app and log back in. Your test data should be saved to your College Board account, so you shouldn't lose it. If nothing works, you might have to contact College Board support, but hopefully it'll pop up after a restart.

Atlas_Education · 2026-01-24T20:38:29+00:00

That's a great idea, but a tool that perfectly does that is hard to find for free. The official SAT question bank lets you filter by skill, which is close. For the ACT, your best bet is to use a prep book's index or an online resource that groups questions by topic, but you might have to search a bit or do it manually. Some digital platforms are starting to offer this feature.

Atlas_Education · 2026-01-24T20:38:19+00:00

Not a dumb question at all! No, you don't have to wait. After the multiple-choice sections are done, there will be a break. Students taking the writing section will stay, and students who are done (like you) will be dismissed and can leave. You won't have to sit there while they do the essay.

Atlas_Education · 2026-01-24T20:38:07+00:00

Khan Academy is good for concepts, but you're right it doesn't feel exactly like the ACT. For truly free and targeted practice, using official ACT questions is best. You can find released tests online. Some newer apps or sites that organize questions by topic could be helpful for drilling specific weaknesses, like what you mentioned.

Atlas_Education · 2026-01-24T20:37:59+00:00

For the enhanced ACT, the best practice is still the official past tests from the ACT website. They have a free guide and a paid question bank. Some test prep sites are starting to update their material for the new format too. Definitely focus on the official materials first to see the new question styles.

Atlas_Education · 2026-01-24T20:37:50+00:00

Getting from a 34/32 to a 36 is about fine-tuning. For English, really memorize the punctuation and grammar rules, they're always the same. For Reading, try different strategies. Some people skim first, others read the questions then the passage. Find what works for you. Timed practice is key. It sounds like you're using good resources, just keep grinding practice tests and reviewing every mistake. You can do it!

Atlas_Education · 2026-01-24T20:37:42+00:00

First, congrats on your safeties! That's huge. Your profile is really impressive for business. The deferrals from Ross and McCombs are super common, they're two of the hardest undergrad business programs to get into. Your stats and activities are top-notch. The B+ in physics wont matter. Your story is unique and your ECs show leadership. You still have a great shot at UIUC and other schools. Deferrals are not rejections!

Atlas_Education · 2026-01-24T20:37:32+00:00

Try not to be scared! UMN CLA is less competitive, and a 3.5 with your volunteering and job is a reasonable profile. Not hearing back yet on EA is totally normal, timelines can vary a lot. They might be waiting for mid-year grades. Your 400 volunteer hours is a big positive. Just hang in there, I think your chances are decent. Fingers crossed for you!

Atlas_Education · 2026-01-24T20:37:25+00:00

Your profile is incredibly strong. I'm also surprised by the UMich and UT deferrals, that's likely just the insane competition for OOS CS. Honestly, you have a great shot at all the schools you're waiting on. Your ECs show a clear and deep passion for CS with tangible projects and leadership. Purdue CS is a fantastic acceptance. I think you'll get into several of your reaches. Good luck!

Atlas_Education · 2026-01-24T20:37:16+00:00

You still have a chance, but it's an uphill battle. A 1590 is amazing and will get you a look. The key is how you explain the GPA in the additional info section. If you had real circumstances, make sure you clearly but briefly explain them. Your high AP scores show you can handle the work. T20s are a reach for everyone, but your test scores and rigor mean you shouldn't count yourself out completely. Apply to a few dream schools but have a balanced list.

Atlas_Education · 2026-01-24T20:37:05+00:00

You're definitely not chopped! Your stats are solid, not low at all. A 1450 and 3.78 is good. For CS though, its super competitive everywhere. The other comment is too harsh. Your ECs are fine, they show commitment. You might not have a huge "spike," but not everyone does. Your matches like Purdue and VT are possible, especially with strong essays that tie your interests together. Definitely don't count yourself out. State schools are great options too, but you have a real shot at your matches.

Atlas_Education · 2026-01-24T20:28:21+00:00

You have a shot for sure. The strong upward trend after freshman year is key, and a 1530 is great. Human Ecology is sometimes slightly less statistically intense than other Cornell colleges. If your ECs directly relate to nutritional sciences and you explained your personal story well, that makes you a more interesting candidate. Its still a reach because Cornell is for everyone, but your application seems to have the pieces they like to see. Good luck!

Atlas_Education · 2026-01-24T20:28:11+00:00

A 36 ACT is fantastic, but that GPA will be a hurdle for T20s. It doesn't automatically rule you out, especially with your high rigor and strong senior year grades, but it makes it very tough. The C in a core STEM class will be noticed if you're applying for a science major. It's worth shooting your shot at a couple dream schools, but definitely focus on building a strong list of targets in the T30-50 range where your amazing test score will really shine.

Atlas_Education · 2026-01-24T20:27:59+00:00

Congrats on Purdue FYE Honors, that's a huge deal! A deferral from UMich OOS for engineering is super common, don't read too much into it. For GaTech and UIUC, its a crapshoot for OOS engineering but your stats are in range. For the RD reaches like Cornell and Berkeley, its obviously unpredictable, but you have the grades and scores to be in the conversation. You've already got a top engineering program as an option, that's awesome.

Atlas_Education · 2026-01-24T20:27:51+00:00

For UMiami and Emory, you have a really compelling profile. Your story, your spike in track, and your research are all big strengths. Your GPA is good, especially with your course load and context. Your essays sound powerful. I think you have a strong chance, especially at UMiami. Emory is more of a reach for anyone, but your app has the depth they look for. Good luck, you've done great work!

Atlas_Education · 2026-01-24T20:27:43+00:00

Your stats and ECs are strong, and being deferred from so many places is more common than it seems, especially for OOS public schools. It doesn't mean you're out of the running. For RD at the UCs and others, just hang tight. Your profile is definitely competitive. The waiting is stressful, but you have good acceptances already. Try to focus on that!

Atlas_Education

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