Chances at Caltech? Do I need to retake SATs?

<p>I just got my AP Calc AB score, and it was a 5, and I have an 800 IIC (and all the necessary math/science classes that my school offers, with A's in them as well as all the others) but my math SAT (old) was 770 (630 V), and new math was 720 (680CR, 760W). </p>

<p>I want to know if it would really make me more competitive at Caltech, MIT, UCB, Princeton, UCHIcago, Harvey Mudd, Carnegie Mellon, ect.... if I took the SATs one more time to get a perfect math score. The only problem is that I would need to miss the last cross country meet before divisionals and state to take them in time, so I would rather not if I didn't have to. MY EC's are great; I have been an officer in everything I've done, with loads of CS and stuff, along with varstiy XC, Speech and Track (XC won state two years when I was running on the team.) I won't go into too much detail here (unless someone wants me to) but I am the first girl at my school to ever take Calc or Physics before her senior year (we kind of suck as far as prestige is concerned.) I live in MT.... so would anyone give me some approximate %s for my acceptance now/if I had >700Cr and 800 M? THanks!!!!</p>

<p>I think the CC is more impressive than a couple measly points on the SAT. At the same time, the mean math SAT at Caltech is 790, which would put you below avg & in a tough spot. Your reading is also low, which may be even more of a problem at Caltech (yes, even the reading is important -- Caltech weights test scores heavily). </p>

<p>Living in Montana would certainly help. You would have a great chance w/ 800M/700CR, but Caltech is one of those lottery schools -- you have a chance, which is all we can really say for anyone.</p>

<p>I am also more concerned with the verbal/cr score than the math. Is it the October or November administration the conflict is with?</p>

<p>Both, actually... but I was hoping to apply early (I guess that plan could always be deferred.) What about the other schools on the list? Does my Calc score or my IIC score help at all with these chances?</p>

<p>I would apply RD and bring up your scores. If you take out writing, you have a 1400 which is too low for most of those schools.</p>

<p>With a 1500, I think you'd have an excellent shot at the tech schools being female (if grades are good).</p>

<p>My grades are perfect(we don't have AP or IB, though, so it is all relative.) I just don't know- it seems like the other tests should count for something; doesn't a high score on a harder test show my abilities well, also? I was sick when I took the new SATs; I should have just cancelled my scores but I was stupid.</p>

<p>cantthink,
you are really going to make this decision for yourself, and it is a tough one. Princeton is the most problematic (you won't get a bump for being female), and Caltech next. You might want to look at the Princeton and Caltech forums from April to see the profiles of accepted/rejected/wl'd. </p>

<p>A third option would be to take the December SAT - that should be OK for your RD schools, and list no schools. If it shows marked improvement, rush report to the colleges (if they accept this). Taking it late will let you get as much reading under your belt as possible. And since you would only send if you get good results, there would be less pressure on you (although if you are a competitive athlete, you are likely used to dealing with pressure).</p>