A score of 34 on the ACT is already in the 98-99th percentile. When it comes to this, waitlist status and rejections more commonly come down to random chance or fit. An SAT score of 2310 is also in the 98+ percentile. Any rejections at that point would probably not be due to being 90 points below maximum and squeezing out one more percentile point.
Don’t retake it; It’s high enough. Colleges that want all scores would think that you’re crazy too. Just study for subject tests for 800’s on them too since they’re generally easier to score high on than the SAT.
I just see so many people with 34s. Either in the same rejection threads I am visiting or in real life (I know of at least 3 or 4 others. By contrast I know very few 35 or 36, I have a small circle of friends so knowing 3 people who also have 34s is a lot). I doubt there were many white males accepted to MIT with a 34 unless they also got a 36 in math and science and English was a 32 which is not how mine is broken out (for the record everything is 32 or better on mine).
Goes back to the original comment if the OP is the Valedictorian, SG President, intel semi finalist or state level speech/debate/mock trial then no, he can be done with the SAT
It would certainly look weird if you applied to schools like Yale or Stanford that require you to send all your scores and they see you retook it for a measly 90 points. You don’t want to seem point hungry and obsessed with testing. I know Stanford, in particular, hates this. 2310 is a great score! Leave it as it is and focus on Subject Tests.
I do understand if the student want to retake for a higher score for merit aid purpose. It just does not make sense the GC pushing the student to retake. If anything, he should tell the student to take SAT2 instead as it is required or recommended by many top schools.
Maybe your counselor thinks that if you could get that high of a score the first time without practice, you can push yourself a teeny bit more to get an even better score. If you think you can improve, then study for a few months and go for it. If not, you already have a beyond great score IMO. But yeah, it really depends on the subject breakdowns and what schools you’re looking into
@Anonymoose3 - don’t bother re-taking. That’s a superb score and will qualify you for serious consideration at any school in the land.
I would agree with everyone on this thread. Your score is terrific. Instead of spending time on studying SAT, try to build your ECs! If you check the decision thread of many colleges, people are being accepted with slightly lower SAT score, but way more EC’s.
@billcsho, @thanksagain, @phospholipase:
I was considering taking it on the December date - that way, I could see my score and then decide if I wanted to rush them to me RD schools or not. I figure it’s the only no-risk way of doing it, especially if I don’t improve. Does this sound like a sensical plan?
@jomarch, @SaphireNY: My breakdown is 790 CR, 740 M, 780 W. I know writing doesn’t count for as much as the other two, also.
And I have a chances thread somewhere in my history (that you commented on) if you’re too curious. 
Suffice to say I (as anyone else who hasn’t been awarded a Nobel prize recently) could use any nudges I can get when applying to the top schools regardless of ECs.
I’ve taken a Literature SAT II (770), will take a Bio SAT II this June, and a Math SAT II in October (expecting 730-770).
Even if you studied to take it again, any improvement would not likely be attributed to studying but to luck. What would you really study? Your scores are exceptional across each section.
Move on to the subject tests.
@neatoburrito, the GC is pushing a math score >750, and it’s making me a bit nervous.
There isn’t much harm in doing that, other than paying for the test, and possibly any stress related to taking the test or pressure to score better. However, as @thanksagain mentioned, certain schools might see this as similar to “grade grubbing” or “point grubbing”… being too obsessive about small differences, which they might see as a reflection of your personality… but that’s a pretty subjective idea.
How many math problems did you miss this time? Was it 3? Are you going to study in a stem field?
The math curve is the most volatile. Fall of 13, my son got three math wrong and got a 710 and he’s about as far away from being a mathy kid as they come. Just get an 800 on the math 2 subject test. It’s got a great curve, much easier for a mathy kid to get on 800 on that than the SAT I math.
If you do retake, I would do it in June, after any AP exams. I firmly believe that any improvement will be do to luck. It was impossible for my Ds reading and writing scores to improve so she only section that she ever studied for was math and her score actually went down the second time!
Maybe your counselor knows something we don’t. If he thinks that ten points will make a difference, well… stranger things have happened. If he is very experienced in guiding kids into top schools, maybe you should retake. But it does indeed go against traditional wisdom.
@neatoburrito:
I am not mathy by any stretch (my biggest accomplishment is AP Calc at 15 :P) I missed 2 questions on Math, and I was honestly floored that I did even that. However, I plan on majoring in some form of biomedicine (w/ an abundance of displayed interest in my application) so math is probably very important. 740, I think, is pretty good for me; I took Math SAT II Level 1 and got a 730 (no prep) this past November.
I know any improvement will be due to luck, and I’ll probably get worse rather than better. I’m taking a Bio SAT II this June, so I suppose I’ll study SAT II Math Level 2 over the summer, take it in October, and then hope this prep carries over to the SAT I in December?
Yes, traditionally no one in my school goes anywhere below #50 on USNews, so my GC should be pretty knowledgable…
Another vote for no retake. Massive waste of time.
2310 is a fine score. It’s only a millimeter off from perfect 2400. If you’re interested in a STEM field at places like MIT, Carnegie Mellon, Stanford, etc. I can understand retaking that SAT for a higher math score or at least 800’s. Your GC is probably just pushing you to reach higher and is playing the disinterested unaffected card to get your gull. If you wish to waste money and time or you want to raise your score, then that’s your choice. However, I would move on to focus on your EC’s and SAT Subject tests.
Are you international or part of an ORM? If yes that would also change the answer
Math 2 is about learning to let the calculator do the work for you, there are tutors that seem to know how to teach that
@SaphireNY, I’m a white female from NYS interested in biomedicine.