<p>Hey guys, I had a question about the SAT vs ACT and am hoping you guys could give your advice. I took the SAT and scored a 2310 (770 CR, 740 M, 800 W) or a 1510/1600. I wasn't happy with my math score so I retook it but canceled after realizing I would get a worse score this time around. I was happy with this score but now my parents want me to take the ACT. After 2 practice tests, I scored a 34 and then a 35(35.25 to be exact lol). So if I do manage to score a 36, would this significantly improve my chances for college admissions? (I am a rising senior). </p>
<p>I really want to get into Princeton and if this will help, I will do it. I am really worried about my extra curriculars since they are generic, not horrible but nothing that particularly stands out. If I do take it, I will just take it in September once. But if I manage to get a 35-36, will it significantly help?</p>
<p>I say, if your parents really want you to take it, why not right? Honestly, a 35/36 is better than what you have right now! But if you really don’t want to take it, don’t! Simple as that! I hope that you get into Princeton! =)</p>
<p>You have a great score anyways, so I think you should take the ACT with no stress. If you don’t hit the score you want, then that’s ok because you already have an excellent SAT.</p>
<p>At some point an increase in scores won’t really matter. I mean seriously, the difference between a 2250 and a 2400 doesn’t demonstrate anything significant about the applicant. Neither would the difference between a 2310 and a 36.</p>
<p>just focus on your essay, just basically focusing on your sat/act score wont really do you much better as of now. Its a great score already. Do you really think that a college will reject you cause you dont get a 36? get real, colleges want someone that is passionate and outgoing rather than a bookworm. princeton is a tough school, so its basically like winning the lottery. Don’t put your hopes up and apply to other reachable schools. Good luck and its not the end of the world if you dont get in. You’ll still live a great life anyways</p>
<p>getting into princeton is nothing like winning the lottery</p>
<p>winning the lottery has about a .00001% success rate whereas getting admitted to princeton has about a 7% success rate</p>
<p>winning the lottery is based exclusively on chance whereas getting admitted to princeton is based on the rigor of a high school schedule, test scores, high school grades, letters of recommendation, writing samples, and extracurricular and personal achievements</p>
<p>the “luck” factor in college admissions is overplayed in my opinion</p>
<p>@imasophomore – There really IS a “luck” factor. Tons of well-qualified prospective students get turned down by Ivys and other top 20 schools. There are lots of students that apply who have similar statistics, extracurriculars, and writing skills. They pick and choose who they want, not who has the absolute best GPA and scores.</p>
<p>true. but read this description by Bill Fitzsimmons of the process at Harvard:
By then, Fitzsimmons will be deep into the second phase of his battle plan: sifting through the thousands of applicants. Every application is rated on a scale of one (the best ever) to six (the worst ever) by members of his staff. In addition, Fitzsimmons often asks Harvard professors to assess students interested in their respective fields. </p>
<p>Then, in February, the applications are divided up geographically among 20 subcommittees. Thus, all applicants from Illinois and Indiana would be considered by the same subcommittee. Then, “we present the case for each applicant like a lawyer would,” says Fitzsimmons. Following debate, the subcommittee votes, with a majority needed to move along to the full committee of 35. There, the process is repeated in a grueling, two-week series of meetings. The debates and votes continue until the class has been whittled to the target number.</p>