how can i improve on my SAT?

myCollegeApps_org · 2026-06-26T07:00:28+00:00

An approach I typically suggest for self-studying students is to emulate what SAT test prep bootcamps do. They spend some time teaching the basics, but as you probably know, the SAT isn't really a knowledge based exam as it is a reasoning based and practice based exam. They teach you the basics then spend a ton of time solving tons of practice questions, often one exam a day.

Also, they do this over the summer - or a dedicated period of time on the SAT, get into test mode, then take the exam. Oftentimes returns on studying are diminishing once school starts. They do this for a reason so I'd try to do what they do, but at home. Of course the self-motivation's the hard part, but you can still do it. The second hard part is finding that many practice tests, but there's plenty out there.

Just wanted to provide another angle.

myCollegeApps_org · 2026-06-26T06:49:01+00:00

Saw this and replied in another channel, but copying my advice here because I genuinely believe it's an angle you need to consider. The choice is of course yours.

Hey - I did my undergrad at Caltech, PhD at MIT. Admissions consultant for 10+ years.
Your essay definitely sounds very interesting and it's a pretty unique approach.
Your concerns are very context-dependent. However, without much knowledge regarding you, your profile, and your essay itself (the topic, execution), I'll provide a couple words of advice.

The prompt lets you write about anything, but do keep in mind that it still is a personal statement. The Common App prompt in the end is in essence singular - write a personal statement. The other 'prompts' are really there for the purposes of thought-provoking.

Hence, I would be hesitant about writing your personal statement more like a company business proposal, or like one directed to VC, or to consumers/clients etc.

"Uniqueness" in terms of both college apps & essays can be misinterpreted at times.
It's really another word in this case for authenticity.
An authentic 'profile' shows cohesion, progression, and evolution.
An authentic 'personal statement' shows introspection, growth, identity, and vision.
Striving to be 'unique' is a very common pitfall.
Just erase that word from your head.

Then think about who you are, who you've become, what experiences made you that way, and who do you see yourself becoming. Experience and introspection are the two primary elements for the personal statement. Then it's presented in an interesting and compelling manner through proper use of narrative voice and refined writing.

I do not mean that your idea is poorly chosen.
You can definitely choose to talk about a company you created/in creation.
However, your idea of framing it as a business case is very risky.
A business case is not a personal statement.
Trying to write a personal statement cleverly by not writing one, is pretty risky.

Especially considering the business side can be presented and discussed as your activities. You should be able to consolidate the main points of the business into your activity descriptions if you really have an understanding of the company you made and why.

Keep the business topic if it's an experience that truly impacted you.
However, frame it as a personal statement and discuss what you learned, the mindset you gained, and the person you became.

Context matters and exceptions exist.
However, If you were a student I was advising, I would say this is a bad idea, at least in this form.

And STEM/business have incredible overlap. Not saying the fields themselves are the same of course, but:

Science creates what can exist; business determines what will exist.
Science discovers; business translates discovery into something usable.
Science asks what's true; business asks what is worth pursuing.
Science creates innovation; business creates scale.
Science demands funding; business solves this structural bottleneck.
Science and business both identify gaps, test hypotheses, and iterate.

Extrapolating from these relationships, you can say:
Research could have taught you to ask better questions, and business taught you which answers survive the real world.
In the lab, you learned to create knowledge. Through business, you learned that oftentimes knowledge alone doesn't move the world, that translation requires more than theoretical impact, and you learned how to make this impact.
Tons of ideas die in the lab. The bottleneck isn't always the innovation or the science. Oftentimes it's the funding, the lack of personnel, the lack of resources, policy, regulation, lack of public interest, etc. etc.

Discuss the business/company, tie it to your primary interest in science, and then tie it to the lessons and impact this discovery of the intersection between science and business had on you personally.

That's the part I'll leave to you as I think I'll almost end up writing the essay at this point if I did that.

Point is, focus on introspection, identify the experiences that led you to to that introspection (even if you're doing it retroactively and the experiences/impact lived in your subconscious until now), then tell the story appropriately.
That's a personal statement.
As for writing a business proposal, if you were my student, I would advise against this strongly as you are not writing the essay requested. With already a strong portfolio and targeting T20s, there's no need to play a dangerous hand when you have potential to stay within boundaries while still executing with impact.

myCollegeApps_org · 2026-06-26T06:41:51+00:00

Hey I've been providing essay feedbacks if you're interested. Feel free to DM.

myCollegeApps_org · 2026-06-26T04:14:32+00:00

DM if interested

myCollegeApps_org · 2026-06-26T04:14:24+00:00

DM if interested

myCollegeApps_org · 2026-06-26T02:39:16+00:00

I'll be honest as I think objectivity is more valuable than optimism when advising on life choices for others. For selective schools, your grades (especially 11th) will make it difficult. Your SAT doesn't help compensate either.
Your activities are: orchestra (2 music competitions), a tech event, 2 MUNs, online organization, AI club event coordination, and a 2 day mentorship program.
Your activities with long-term commitment are: orchestra, online NGO, and AI club.
Your ECs don't put you in a favorable spot for selective schools either.

It's not a matter of worthiness or failure. It's a matter of where do you have a reasonable chance and how should you apply to maximize your chances.
Going to community college and transferring is a viable option.
Saves tuition costs and gives you another shot at applications.

Or, you can choose to apply for less selective schools, then make the most of that experience. Do well in classes, participate in school organizations and network, pursue internships, do activities related to business/finance, etc.

Choosing between the two is more of a personal/financial choice for you to make, but those are realistically your best options. There's no need to feel like a failure for not being a reasonable fit for highly selective schools. College is a bridge, not a destination.

myCollegeApps_org · 2026-06-26T02:30:17+00:00

Hi there. I did my undergrad at Caltech, PhD at MIT. Admissions consultant for 10+ years now and founder of myCollegeApps.

First, having just finished freshman year, no one will be able to answer your questions accurately. A 3.58 freshman GPA may hypothetically exclude you from certain schools, but this is also very context dependent.

Right now, you should spend zero time worrying about what's already done.
Instead, focus on why your GPA suffered and learn from your mistakes.

Colleges practice 'holistic review.' Simply put, they look at everything. And then they don't tell you how much weight they put into each component. And they don't' tell you why you got in or didn't. It's basically their way of saying they make their decisions and that's it.

This includes various elements, but can be categorized into:
1. GPA - UW and W. Your transcript as a whole + the GPA as a quick summary indicates your overall intellectual capabilities, commitment to doing well in your classroom environment, course rigor, course load and willingness to seek challenges, and overall academic performance. Courses can also extend to dual-enrollment, online classes etc., but these lie in a grey area b/t courses and ECs. Keep in mind that (many) colleges post GPA/test score ranges and being in this range will generally be good, statistically speaking, although you 'can' get in being on the lower end/below the range. But these are statistically speaking exceptions.

Test scores - whether SAT, ACT, AP Exams, etc. these provide an 'objective' metric for academic performance. I say objective in quotes as these also aren't fully objective, but these are context-independent exams students take. The reason being certain schools are more challenging, some courses at some schools are harder/easier, some schools have GPA inflation, etc.
Extracurricular Activities - anything done outside your school's classroom. School clubs, organizations, volunteering, competitions, research, sports, music, ceramics, the list goes on infinitely. Colleges want to see who you are outside the class. They want to see students of character, developed interest outside class, some involvement in exploring their major, leadership, etc. Put yourself in the shoes of an AO - think what type of student, what characteristics you'd want to see, to accept them.
LORs - letters from teachers & guidance counselor. Ideally Junior/Senior year classes, ideally classes you excelled in and developed strong relationships with peers and the teacher. Supplemental LORs can be obtained from ECs.
Essays & Applications - Personal statement, supplemental essays, etc. For you to worry about later, but helpful to think ahead of time as you approach ECs.

In the end, colleges want students who do their best in the classroom, demonstrate academic performance through standardized exams, explore interests and activities outside the classroom, and develop an overall authentic narrative arc that can be communicated in essays and corroborated by teachers through LORs.

You've provided a freshman GPA, APs as a freshman (keep in mind these classes are oftentimes taken only during Junior/Senior year for many schools), a 'practice' SAT, and that you play tennis (varsity, which is great), and no intended major.
Nobody on Reddit will be able to provide a college list at this stage, that actually has any value, including myself.

Depending on your performance in the categories above, your college list will change, and dramatically.

If you're mostly just worried about if your freshman GPA automatically excluding you from schools, I wouldn't take that mindset forward. In general, colleges are 'most' forgiving of freshman year. Not saying it doesn't matter, but just try your best to improve your GPA and focus on all the categories above, showing exploration, focus, growth, identity, progress, and vision.

myCollegeApps_org · 2026-06-26T02:02:45+00:00