So last fall, I took my first SAT and scored 2280. My breakdown is as follows:
CR: 760
W: 720 (8 essay)
M: 800 (sort of an anomaly)
As I’m intending to apply for Georgetown, Notre Dame, and the Ivies, should I retake it? If I do, should I study or just take it and see what happens? I still have 2 out of 3 subject tests to take, so I’m trying to figure out whether my time would be better spent focusing on those, as well as admissions essays.
Assuming you’re an incoming senior, I would definitely not retake it. Your score is certainly competitive for those schools as it is, and a few more points won’t really improve your chances. Whether or not you get accepted will come down to other parts of your application, so spend your time there.
Congrats on your score and good luck.
What was your grammar subscore? If the reason for the 720 was due to your essay score you may be able to easily raise your 720 to at least a 750 or 760 by writing a few practice essays and by using superscore.
It’s definitely good enough for Georgetown and Notre Dame. And depending on your other qualifications, it may be good enough for the Ivies as well.
Only retake if you are 150% confident that you can raise your score by at least 60-70 points (it’s easier than you think to raise your essay score from the single digits to the double digits). Otherwise, it won’t make you look better in your college app. In fact, what if you end up getting a lower score? (You say the 800 M is an anomaly.)
Don’t take it! You will waste your time. Try to work on the Subject tests. You are done with the SAT1/ACT. Try to focus also on EC’s and GPA. Good luck with your app.
If u think the 800 M is an anomaly, then quit while you’re ahead.