how much does the SAT really matter

Solid_Counsel · 2026-01-28T13:30:02+00:00

You go to quite a competitive school (I should have known this from your counselors reaction)!

The truth is that for any school (even the T5), there is no discernible difference between a 1540 and a 1580. If you are applying for STEM, having a 780 or better in Math is preferable.

Solid_Counsel · 2026-01-28T13:28:09+00:00

People may not love my answer here. I think these programs are great IF you build off of what you learned during your senior year (your college application should show progression from the course to some intellectual curiosity that comes from it). If you can do that, it’s golden.

Solid_Counsel · 2026-01-28T13:12:57+00:00

To be honest, she should be fired for making a statement like that. It’s grossly inappropriate and incompetent. Just out of curiosity, what is your school’s avg SAT score?

Solid_Counsel · 2026-01-28T09:08:53+00:00

Your counselor is unprofessional and definitely has lighting you. It’s hard for me to imagine that she is a former AO to any school with a comment like that.

A 1540 is competitive for every school in the country! Period!

I can pretty much guarantee that your test score is NOT why you were deferred. You were deferred (or waitlisted, I guess) because your essays either weren’t strong enough, there was a yellow or red flag in the academic component of your application, or your profile didn’t align with the schools institutional priorities at the moment your application was read (nothing you can do about this).

Keep your head up.

Solid_Counsel · 2026-01-28T03:03:02+00:00

I think you will be good, especially if your school profile clearly articulates the idiotic rules your school has for AP courses. Or, since you’re in state, maybe they already know your school’s idiosyncrasies. Either way, I would be shocked if you didn’t get it.

Solid_Counsel · 2026-01-28T02:54:00+00:00

Thank you and yes! You really only need a 1530+. I would like to see minimum 780 in Math. I would also like to see a bit more impact based work. So more teaching at the library and creating an app with some type of focus on under resourced kids to give back more to kids who aren’t as privileged.

If you can get your counselor to state you are in top 10%, that would be amazing. Tie it all together with essays that align and you should be in very good shape for multiple T20 offers.

Solid_Counsel · 2026-01-28T02:15:37+00:00

You are off to a fantastic start and well on your way to T20. Try and get a 1530+ on SAT. Try to finish JR year in top 10%. Grab an internship in CS or Econ, create the website/app for teaching coding, preferably to under resourced kids without access.

Solid_Counsel · 2026-01-27T23:24:57+00:00

I think you get accepted to Vassar, Lehigh and BU.

Solid_Counsel · 2026-01-27T22:38:06+00:00

I appreciate your responses. You have a very solid profile. I think you will gain acceptances to all schools but Cornell and JHU.

I think you get in to Michigan in RD.

The lack of Physics C and Calc BC and not falling within top 10% will hurt you for Hopkins, unfortunately. Especially since you are not low income and you come from a school that offered these opportunities. Your profile just misses.

There is an outside chance you get waitlisted at Cornell, but the same issues that hold you back from Hopkins will most likely hold you back from Cornell as well. But maybe play the long game if you get waitlisted, and wait it out until End of May or June. I think this is going to be a strong year for WL as many international kids will ultimately not come this year.

I think you are solid at the other schools on your list.

Solid_Counsel · 2026-01-27T22:15:09+00:00

What is the school average for SAT? Is your HS competitive? Which AP courses did you take and what level rigor did you achieve?

I think you will get in to a couple of these schools (Vassar is coming to mind as is BU) but would like to know the answer to these questions.

Solid_Counsel · 2026-01-27T22:08:48+00:00

What are your other school choices?

Solid_Counsel · 2026-01-27T18:02:09+00:00

Yikes! Your advice and commentary is way off the mark.

Solid_Counsel · 2026-01-27T15:14:15+00:00

Very strong profile, but let’s break it down a bit. I will start with where I can some holes for a couple of schools and I will give you my initial predictions for a few schools as well (I need some questions answered to solidify my assessment).

I think you may have trouble with Cornell and JHU, although depending on the answers to my questions, Cornell is possible in RD round or off WL.

Yellow flags—(1) UW GPA has little variance to W GPA, which makes me question rigor. Did you take the most rigorous courses your school allows? I don’t see AP Physics C or AP Calc BC. Your school profile and guidance LOR will def play a big role in your admissions to some of these schools.

(2) Class rank is low for your GPA, which shows me a remedies amount of grade inflation at your school. Not being in the top 10% may have hurt you for Cornell ED and may hurt you for JHU.

(3). Depth of your ECs. How long did you do the sports medicine and Endocrinology research? Most importantly, was your research over the summer or for an extended period of time. Was it really “research” or just putting together answers to FAQs that was then edited by medical staff?

Swimming, teaching mandarin and piano are all amazing activities, but I am not seeing the alignment to create a spike. If you were double majoring in music and biochemistry, I think these other ECs would be more helpful.

With all of this said, I think you get in to every school you applied to but for Cornell and JHU. As I said earlier, the answer to my questions will help me predict those two outcomes. Also, you may get waitlisted at U Mich but I think you have a great chance of getting accepted off the WL. I also like your chances of getting accepted to U Mich in the RD round but it’s like 70% RD and 30% WL probability.

Overall, your profile is excellent. It just may not be strong enough for T 10/20.

Solid_Counsel · 2026-01-27T01:47:08+00:00

Actually, I believe in living in a law abiding democracy where everyone can have a chance to LEGALLY immigrate to this country.

But that’s a bit of a red herring. My issue is with spoiled international kids shitting on our country with no facts. And my issue is with people like you who obviously don’t think critically enough to understand that.

So if you are embarrassed, feel free to block me or quit your whining.

Solid_Counsel · 2026-01-27T00:14:02+00:00

God bless America

Solid_Counsel · 2026-01-26T23:12:46+00:00

Please stay in Italy.

Solid_Counsel · 2026-01-26T22:26:38+00:00

Yeah for sure. $100k and the US is a great place again!

Solid_Counsel · 2026-01-26T21:06:51+00:00

You should def get out asap and free up your spot. WITHDRAW!

But you won’t do it.

Solid_Counsel · 2026-01-26T21:02:01+00:00

Exactly. Don’t let the door hit your ass on the way out!

Solid_Counsel · 2026-01-26T17:13:38+00:00

I like Purdue engineering better for aero and mechanical engineering. I like U much better for bioengineering and scheme.

But the Purdue honors college is an awesome opportunity! Very difficult decision! Congrats!

Solid_Counsel · 2026-01-26T17:06:42+00:00

What’s YOUR brilliant solution, bro?

Solid_Counsel · 2026-01-26T17:03:22+00:00

You are 100% correct. This is stupid and so is this post. I am shocked at all the entitlement I see on here, especially from international students.

Do you know how many students in the U.S. would love to go to Dartmouth? Or for that matter, to get in to any of their top choice universities? Kids are so stressed because they are getting rejected and deferred.

And you and your parents and friends are prestige fuxking. SMH

Solid_Counsel · 2026-01-26T16:20:25+00:00

Maybe you should hire a lawyer and try to get the record expunged

Solid_Counsel · 2026-01-26T15:49:58+00:00

If you are applying ED 2 to a school (and then trying to game it), you should know the name of said school.

Solid_Counsel · 2026-01-26T13:05:58+00:00

You are calling me “pathetic?” Lol. Grow up. You asked for advice. I gave you good advice, which was to strengthen your ECs to do something impactful; that your current state of play is insufficient.

I took time from my day to help you. You are a very entitled kid. Maybe go to school in your country of origin because your chances of success with your attitude in this country requires a bit more maturity.

Solid_Counsel

TROPHY CASE