<p>Just had a question. If you are an ORM (and international student) and you had really great reccomendations, grades (from an int'l sch that consistently does well), won int'l competitions like Model UNs and several national competitions and had good essays, would you suggest redoing SAT for the third time (currently it's 690CR 750M 720W). </p>
<p>I am confident my ECs stand out and so do my reccomendations (one from my country's top diplomat when I worked in the external affairs ministry is writing a supplementary one) and my grades are pretty good too (43pts predicted IB Diploma candidate). I just think redoing SATs are too close to the actual exams so it might be a conflict of interest. Going to do SAT IIs in June. </p>
<p>I don’t think it would hurt to redo it, as you can always have better scores, but it’s really up to you. I got a 2180 on my second try (780/620/780) and decide not to retake it. I was accepted. I know plenty of people that got rejected with higher scores, and plenty more that got rejected with similar or lower scores.</p>
<p>Honestly, I think once you get past the 2100 threshold and are below, say, 2250, it’s the rest of your app that matters. It’s certainly not terrible–remember, the average score at Yale is like a 2200, which means plenty of people score below it. At that range, your test scores are kind of nullified–they’re not a boon to your app, but they don’t hurt you. People may argue with that, but I think I’m a pretty good example of getting far-from-stellar test scores.</p>
<p>i’m also considering applying yale scea (not entirely sure as of now, but highly probable) and this is very welcome information. Really confused right now whether or not to try retaking or if it’s not at all worth it… at this point, how much of a difference does it truly make? I know there are a lot of people accepted with scores like that, but how much better off does someone become with 2250+ vs. barely under 2200?</p>
<p>I wasn’t very helpful, was I? But, for the second question…Concentrate on november IBs and maybe try option 3: ACT if possible (though it seems you’re trying to avoid the extra load). IBs at this point, since they’re actual classes, are very important so focus on those!</p>
<p>Thanks a lot hb730 haha didnt mean to do that. And Gryffon, how much of a difference would u say a 2160 and a say 2230 are. Would it honestly have a large impact on your application?</p>
<p>Look at the Common Data Set statistics…if your stats are somewhere within mid range, stop focusing on test scores. Imagine yourself as an admissions officer; how interested are you in an applicant who is obsessing about test scores compared to another applicant with a passion for something other than tests?</p>
<p>In my opinion, the Common Data set statistics can be misleading because they do not represent the scores needed for the average international ORM. The stats could be considerably lowered due to legacies or athletes also being granted admission. Also, it is the general idea that internationals are held at a higher standard than domestic applicants. </p>
<p>What harm could it be to take it again? Unless you don’t study like me and your scores actually drop the third time.</p>
<p>It’s certainly not an impressive score for yale, but it’s not going to keep you out. Taking it again won’t hurt. I’m sure plenty of people have gotten in with similar scores.</p>
<p>I got in this year with a 2160. So, as long as you have great grades and extracurriculars (which you probably do if you’re applying to Yale), don’t worry about it.</p>
<p>Gryffon–my experience, although from a long time ago and consequently admittedly dated, at least anecdotally contradicts your hypothesis: I was admitted as an international, unhooked" ORM with slightly lower than midrange stats. Possibly compensating strengths- good essay, strong and consistent outside interests. I stand by my comment at post 10.</p>
<p>Do NOT take again. Not worth it, really. I’d focus on the rest of your exams & everything else is what matters. That score will NOT be the deciding factor when it comes to them determining whether you’re in or not. </p>
<p>And you seem to be confident that everything else will standout, including recs. Taking it again is honestly a waste of time and effort.</p>
<p>thanks so much guys. I guess I might just - if I really really really do have the time - take it again in October. If not I am still going ahead with SCEA Yale. Unlike Stanford which highly admits only Atheletes, legacies and URMs in SCEA i think Yale differs in that aspect. Atleast according to what I have been told.</p>
Yes, but how many of those people are unhooked international applicants? I think you might want to take it again. I don’t know if I would suggest extensive prep, though, because Yale will look at the superscore.</p>
<p>My son was accepted with 2190, and did not retake, but focused on SAT IIs (along with APs) and other aspects of his application. I encourage you to do the same and forget the SAT I. The CR score just under 700 will probably be overlooked because you’re an international student, as long as you have good essays and letters of rec and other interesting things in your application. Focus on this summer and building up your strengths towards the majors in which you are interested and good luck!</p>
<p>To the OP: You are missing the point of those counseling against retaking: yale admissions is NOT a meritocracy where the highest tests/GPA are assured admission. Every year there are a significant number of 2400 SAT perfect GPAs that are rejected because admissions seeks to assemble a class balanced and diverse on many levels. (Look up “holistic admissions”). It is true that you probably need to be within a certain test range to be considered at all, but the Common Data Set (google it on the Yale website) will frame that for you. Efforts to improve a few points once you are within that set are, at best, an exercise in minimal marginal utility.</p>
<p>Secondly, none of us knows how Yale will exercise their “holistic” view. That means that Hunt’s opinion that internationals must make a stronger showing than domestic applicants cannot be proven or disproven. (However, I can say that I was admitted as an international with scores below the median SAT, for whatever that’s worth). Indeed, I would argue that an international has an advantage, if not a hook, because he/she brings geographic and probably cultural diversity to Yale. Worked for me.</p>
<p>In sum, work on showing yourself to best advantage by spending time on your essays, your academic passion and your extracurricular activities rather than standardized tests. Good luck!</p>
<p>Thanks a lot krm! i think your post really summed it up. True i was a bit worried about my SAT being just above the 25th percentile score line and i was worried that many URMs and atheletes would crowd that category. Moreover seeing CC with most of 2200 and 2300 plus rejected and even those accepted being above the 2200 thereshold discouraged me a little. </p>
<p>Nevertheless I think I am going to go ahead and focus on my SAT IIs. Yale accepts more than 10 from my country and I can safetly say that my essays and ECs will stand out. Thanks so much ;)</p>