If you are planning on taking the SAT Subject Tests, it helps to know the average SAT Subject Test scores. You can use the average SAT Subject Test score to compare your score with the 2009 graduating class. I’ve listed below the average SAT Subject Test scores for the graduating class of 2009. You can read the average SAT Reasoning Test scores here.

Are the averages what you were expecting? Let us know how your score compares with the average score. Write in the comments below.

You can read the average SAT score for 2008 here.

So there you have it. Those were the average SAT scores for 2009. How did your scores compare to the average scores? Let us know in the comments below.

Also read: 21 Colleges that do not Require the SAT for Admission

Arizona State University

Concordia University

Dickinson College

Gettysburg College

Goucher College

Hampshire College

Hobart and William Smith Colleges

Knox College

Lewis and Clark College

Mount Holyoke College

Muhlenberg College

Nazareth College

Northern Arizona University

Oklahoma State University

Rollins College

Sarah Lawrence College

South Dakota State University

University of Mississippi

Wake Forest University

Washington College

Wittenberg University

Further reading: Average SAT Scores – Is Your SAT Score Good Enough?

Also read: 21 Colleges that do not Require the SAT for Admission

So what is the average SAT score, you might ask. CollegeBoard, the official governing body for the SAT, has released the average SAT scores for test takers in 2008. There are three sections to the SAT: Critical reading, Mathematics and Writing. Each section is scored on a scale of 200 to 800. The following are the average SAT scores for 2008:

• Critical reading: 502

• Mathematics: 515

• Writing: 494

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So we see that the combined average SAT scores is 1511 on a scale of 2400. Students should definitely aim for a score that is much higher than this number. An average SAT scores of 2100 is a respectable number which puts the test taker in the 90th percentile, which means that the test taker did better than 90% of the people that took the test. I think students that have an average SAT scores below 1500 should retake the test because this is a below average SAT scores which would put you in a competitive disadvantage during the admission process. However, it is important that students do not get too caught up in achieving a high SAT scores because SAT scores are not the only thing that admission officials look at. In fact, more and more colleges are claiming that standardized tests play very little role in their admission decision. Whatever the case maybe, it cannot hurt to have a good SAT score.

Did you take the SAT? Did you score higher than the average SAT scores reported here? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Admission to highly ranked colleges in the USA is very competitive. This can get even more competitive for international students when they are seeking scholarships from the college to fund their studies. International students can do a few things while they are in high school to increase their chances of admission to a US college with scholarship.

Do Well in Academics

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Students must do well in academics to have a shot at getting into the top ranked schools. Grades in high school are very important and are looked at very closely during the admission process.

Take Challenging Classes

Admission counsellors like to see that you took challenging classes in high school. Sign up for advanced classes even if they are optional for you in high school. If you are taking General Math, also take Advanced Math. This will give the impression that you are an above average student and like to go above and beyond what is required. It is not enough to just take advanced classes but one must also do well in those classes.

Take the SAT and TOEFL

Take the SAT and TOEFL and score high on these tests. High scores on these tests can set you apart from other students seeking admission. Many colleges use the SAT score as a criteria for both admission and scholarship decisions. A high score on the TOEFL can also be used to waive some English as a Second Language (ESL) classes that many colleges make mandatory for their international students to take in their first semester.

Participate in Extracurricular Activities

Almost every admission application to a US college will ask you to list your extracurricular activities. A lot of weight is given to an application that shows student involvement in extracurricular activities. Colleges want to admit students that do well in school but who are also active in their communities. So get out there and do something. Get involved in clubs, organizations, do voluntary work, play sports, help in your local soup kitchen. Take on responsibility and leadership roles whenever you can. Showing that you have leadership experience can give a tremendous boost to your admission and scholarship application.

Take the SAT II Subject Tests

Although many colleges do not require the SAT subject tests anymore, it does not hurt to take these tests as it will set you apart from the other applicants. Good scores on these tests will help in getting scholarships.

The visa interview is the last hurdle international students need to pass on their way to higher education in the US. In my experience, if you are a genuine student and have taken the SAT, TOEFL, obtained an I-20 from a decent school and have financial sponsors and related documents, the visa interview should not be much of a problem for you. However, it does not hurt to know the kind of questions the visa officer will be asking you. Mostly, the visa issuing officer is interested in finding out if you are really a student and are planning to return to your home country after your graduation. She will therefore be asking you probing questions to that end.

1. What are your career plans after graduation?

This is probably the most important question of all. A variation of this question can be, “If you were offered a job in the US after your graduation, would you take it”. Here the visa officer is primarily trying to find out if you are planning to return to your home country after graduation. Invariably, your answer should be that you are just going to the US to complete your education and that you plan to start your working career in your home country.

2. Why did you choose (name of your university)?

From this question, the interviewer wants to know if you put in some thought into choosing an university that fits your needs instead of randomly apply to a bunch of universities in hopes of getting an I-20.

3. How many colleges/universities did you apply to?

Most high school students in the US apply to multiple colleges. This way they increase their chances of being admitted into at least one college of their choosing. The visa officer wants to know that you are a serious student and planned for your study in the US by applying to multiple schools.

4. Why did you choose the USA as a destination for your higher education needs?

The visa officer wants to hear that you chose the USA because of the quality of education that it provides and not for the higher quality of life or job opportunities in the USA.

5. Why did you choose this (your major)?

You should choose a major that is related to your studies in high school. If you had been taking business classes in high school and virtually no science classes and your I-20 states that your major is Chemistry, chances are that your visa application will be rejected.

Other common questions that you might face during the visa interview:

6. What do your parents do?

7. Why don’t you want to study at a college in your home country?

8. Convince me that you are going to come back home after graduation.

9. Do you have any student loans?

10. Are you going to come back home during summers?

This does not mean that the average international student has no chance for a scholarship at an US university. There are many universities and colleges in the United States that offer international students scholarships as long as they have decent academic performance in high school.

In-state Tuition
At most state universities, out of state students and international students
are assessed a higher tuition rate than students that live in that state. Often, this tuition is almost twice that of what local students pay. Many universities will offer their international students an opportunity to pay in-state tuition as long as they fulfill certain criteria. These can include maintaining a certain GPA while on the in-state tuition scholarship and/or doing volunteer activities. One such school that has an excellent in-state tuition scholarship for all its’ international students is Saint Cloud State University in Minnesota. The in-state tuition scholarship can make affording a. U.S. university very affordable for international students, especially for those that do not have outstanding results and achievements.

The University of Indianapolis currently enrolls over 300 international students from 50 different countries. There are many scholarships for international students available at the university.

Distinguished Dean’s Scholarship – $15,000 annually
Eligibility criteria:

• Combined reading/math SAT score of 1270 or composite ACT score of 29
• Top five percent national academic rank or the equivalent
• Strong college preparatory curriculum
• Strong demonstration of English proficiency
• Entering first-year student (freshman)
• No separate application required

Dean’s Scholarship – $10,800 annually
Eligibility criteria:

• Combined reading/math SAT score of 1270 or equivalent
• Top seven percent national academic rank or equivalent
• Strong demonstration of English proficiency
• Strong college preparatory curriculum
• Evidence of leadership potential or history of community service
• Entering first-year student (freshman)
• No separate application required

U.S. Senator Richard G. Lugar Distinguished Academic Recognition Award – $7900 annually
Eligibility criteria:

• Combined reading/math SAT score of 1170 or equivalent
• Top ten percent national academic rank or equivalent
• Strong college preparatory curriculum
• Strong demonstration of English proficiency
• Entering first-year student (freshman)
• No separate application required

Alumni Scholarship – $6200 annually
Eligibility criteria:

• Combined math/reading SAT score of 1100 or equivalent
• Top fifteen percent national academic rank or equivalent
• Strong college preparatory curriculum
• Strong demonstration of English proficiency
• Evidence of leadership potential or history of community service
• Letter of recommendation from a UIndy graduate or from a school administrator, teacher, or counselor
• Entering first-year student (freshman)
• No separate application required

International Student Grant – Five to thirty percent of tuition annually
Eligibility criteria:

• Above-average grade point average and standardized examination scores
• No separate application required

Faith or Community Service Award – $2500 annually
Eligibility criteria:

• Evidence of community volunteer service or active membership in a mainline religious organization
• Submit Faith or Community Service Award application
• Does not combine with any other grant or scholarship

Athletic Grants – Amount varies
Eligibility criteria:

• Demonstrated ability in athletics
• Requirements set by coaching staff
• Contact Athletic Department

Departmental Scholarships – Amount varies
Eligibility criteria:

• Requirements set by faculty in the appropriate area
• Offered in Anthropology, Archeology, Art and Design, Business, Chemistry, Criminal Justice, Music, Nursing,
• Pre-Theology, Psychology, Social Work, and Sociology majors. Also offered to Speech Team participants.
• Entering first-year student for fall enrollment only
• Request appropriate departmental scholarship application
• February 1 deadline

Legacy Award – $1,500 annually
Eligibility criteria:

• Parent or grandparent holds a degree from UIndy
• Entering first-year student (freshman)
• Combines with other scholarships
• No separate application required

Because it can be very costly for international students to attend college in the United States, Adrian College offers an International Student Scholarship. This Scholarship provides funds equal to the cost of a residence hall room and dining hall meals. International students may live on campus and eat meals free of charge during the fall and spring semesters. In addition, students may earn the International Student Achievement Scholarship of $3,000 per year by taking the SAT examination and submitting official scores to Adrian College. The minimum score for scholarship consideration is 860, verbal and math combined.

Additional Info:
TOEFL: Required
SAT: Optional for admission, required for International Student Achievement Scholarship
SAT Subject Tests: Not required

Adrian College
110 S. Madison St.
Adrian, MI 49221

So what are the steps required to get into an U.S. institution, you might ask. It’s really quite simple actually. One needs to start planning and preparing early. The most important thing to do would be to get good grades in school. U.S. colleges and universities lay great emphasis on student grades in school. So get those grades up. Another thing to do would be to participate in lots of extra curricular activities. Get involved in after school programs and take on leadership roles. These will greatly boost your application for admission and scholarships.

Take the SAT and TOEFL exams by December of the previous year that you wish to enroll. Although some schools do not require the SAT anymore, it is still a good idea to take BOTH these tests because apart from the admission process, they also establish your credibility as a bona fide student to the visa issuing officer.

There are many institutions of higher learning in the United States. Finding a school that matches your educational and financial needs is a course in itself. So start researching early. The internet is always a good place to start. Don’t rely too much on rankings. One criterion that I use to find out if a school is good for me is to see the number of enrolled international students. If you are really serious about studying in the U.S. apply to at least five schools. One of them should be a back up school that you are sure you can get into.