<p>Hey guys, I'm a junior and got my SAT score today and was ecstatic to see that it was a 2310, much higher than anything I had expected!
However, my breakdown was:
CR: 780
Math: 730
Writing: 800 (9 on essay)
I know I am definitely going to go into science in college, so I'm worried that it will look bad that math is my lowest score...I'm definitely not going to retake the test, but I was just wondering how much my score in math will hurt. Also, am I right in thinking that taking the test only once looks better than taking it multiple times (assuming that there's no way I could get a higher score if I retook it)?
Thanks!</p>
<p>@tej1998 Congratulations on the great score :). If you feel that your Math score isn’t high enough, take a Math Level 1 or 2 subject test. Colleges don’t care how many times you take the test, I know some students who took the test in 8th or 9th grade, and scored 1500s, then took the SAT in junior year got 2250 ~ 2300+, their in Ivies now. :D</p>
<p>Do you know how many students would kill for that 730, let alone the 2310? It’s just one test; please spend your time on other things, such as learning all the higher math if you’re planning on studying that. I guarantee it’ll help you more than “If there are x employees per y rooms in z hotels, then who is buried in Grant’s tomb?”</p>
<p>Be proud of what you accomplished.</p>
<p>Trust me, I couldn’t be happier about my score. Was just a little worried, but you’re right, there are plenty of other opportunities I have to work on math.</p>
<p>Dear tej1998, just wanted to congratulate you on your great score… taking my SAT in november and couldn’t be more stressed… so just take it easy on your self you have done a great job… If you have good EC’s IVY’s are a sure reach…
=D> </p>
<p>It depends on what kinds of schools you are looking at. If you will be taking subject tests anyway for the colleges you are interested in, take Math II. Study for it ahead of time, too. If you aren’t taking subject tests for colleges, you might consider retaking. But again… it depends on what kind of schools you plan to apply to. It is definitely on the low side for schools like MIT, CalTech, Harvey Mudd, Johns Hopkins, etc. But if you are shooting for your state university, you may be fine. Also, if you are targeting a college of engineering at your state university, in some states it would be on the low end. So… it depends.</p>
<p>retake. you could get a 2350 + which would make you ridiculously attractive to any college</p>
<p>There’s no way I’m retaking, no way I could get that high of a score again lol. I’m sure I just got lucky with the questions. Anyway, @intparent, I want to apply to schools like Carnegie Mellon, Vanderbilt, UVA, WUSTL, UNC, UCB, UCLA, with my highest reach being Penn- how do my scores fare for places like those? (Although, I am still early in my junior year so I haven’t put a huge amount of thought into that list). And I will definitely take subject tests.</p>
<p>Just remember that the writing score is not weighted that heavily by many colleges. They are most interested in CR + M. What kind of science to you want to study? CMU is VERY competitive in the CS area, I know Higher scores would help you at every school on that list, honestly.</p>
<p>Remember that almost every school on your list superscores (takes the top score from each section and creates a “superscore”). So you wouldn’t have to study for CR or Wr again. Just study for the math and retake, which isn’t quite as onerous.</p>
<p>It might help to know your UW GPA, what kinds of classes (honors/AP) you have been taking, your home state, and your ECs. If you have another weakness you need to offset, that could change whether you should retake or not as well. </p>
<p>And you need to add a couple of safeties to your list, none of those are safeties.</p>
<p>Ah I see. I want to go into something along the lines of theoretical physics/astrophysics/cosmology, but honestly, I’ve not taken a single class on any of those throughout HS so I am pretty much open to any science besides chemistry and even some non-science fields.
I know all the schools I listed are either reaches or high matches and I need to do a bit more research (haven’t gotten a college counselor or anything yet). My GPA is pretty low and is my main weakness, it’s maybe 3.6, because I got mostly B/B+ grades freshman year for a couple of different (but legitimate) reasons. On the bright side, my grades have been trending upward since then and I’m hoping to pull off a 3.8 by senior year. I’ve taken advanced math all 3 years and 2 AP classes thus far (and I think two more next year). I live in MD, but school is in DC. Also, my main extracurricular is guitar which I’ve done for ~5 years and am starting to enter some competitions with. In school I’m involved in a handful of leadership positions/clubs/sports.
Come to think of it, it would probably be good for me to post a chance me thread later on when I know more about what my grades are this year, so I’ll probably do that. </p>
<p>Okay. Given your GPA, proposed major, and the schools you are shooting for, you SHOULD study for the math portion and retake. Instead of a chance-me thread (awful, awful things – you mostly get responses from other high school student who have no earthly clue on your actual chances…), start one in college search and selection asking if your list is appropriate given your stats, and where else you should consider. You will get much more considered and helpful suggestions. Your current list doesn’t seem like the best physics schools, seems like a list of big schools you have heard of (no offense intended…).</p>
<p>Don’t send your second set of scores anywhere until you see them. If the math score happens to be lower, then you wouldn’t want to pass it along.</p>
<p>Also, you will need to take subject tests for some of those choices. Look and see what they ask for. Either Math II or Physics should probably be on your list. Math II might be a better choice unless you are taking AP Physics this year. But study for that, too. The curve is stiff (but the math actually isn’t as high level as you would think).</p>
<p>Ah ok, thank you, that makes a lot of sense. </p>
<p>Oh, and look hard at the SAT schedule now. Ideally you will take the SAT I again this year (junior year) AND take a shot at the subject tests. In case you are not happy with your subject test scores, you can take a second shot in the fall if you need to. Don’t wait on that, try to do both this year. Remember there are no test dates in the summer, too.</p>
<p>Just as a word of encouragement, my D2 ended up with a 2380 superscore after two tries at the SAT. She had a 3.7 UW GPA, but ended up with really good acceptances at some top schools. The test scores did help offset the low-ish GPA.</p>
<p>Also, I think UM-CP has a kicka** physics department. Just saying, since it is instate for you as well.</p>
<p>Awesome, that’s great to know. Thanks!</p>