<p>I am a little confused. When I went onto Collegeboard.com three days ago to check my SAT results for the first time, I was ecstatic when I found out I got 2220, (CR: 750, Math: 700, Writing: 770), and I started exploring the internet for info on where these scores could get me. I was really happy when I found out that my writing and reading were both around the 75th percentile of students attending Columbia (my dream school), and my math is around 30-40th percentile. I was a little dissapointed but figured it wasn't a big deal sinced I was planning on going into some sort of Liberal Art-ish major, and whatever I did, wasn't planning on it heavily involving math. Imagine my shock and awe when I arrive at college confidential, and see high school students getting recommended to re-do their SATs so that they get over 2300! Is a score of 2220 really not good enough for Columbia (I thought it was even good enough for HYPS)?</p>
<p>It depends… do you have any hooks (spectacular EC’s, URM, etc.)? The 25th-75th percentile SAT scores for the class of 2013 were 2110-2300. But if you’re not legacy, URM/1st generation into college, a recruited athlete, or anything “special,” most applicants should aim for the 75th-percentile or higher. In that case, I would retake it. Try to superscore to get 2300+</p>
<p>People on CC are insane. Do not despair over a 2200. It is an excellent score.</p>
<p>I retook a 2200 because I thought that I could do better on the CR section (700 CR, 710 M, 790 W). Had the spread been different yet the composite the same, I likely would not have retaken.</p>
<p>2200 is not going to get you rejected from Columbia. You could boost your chances with a higher score, but don’t consider perfectionist CC-ers to be the norm. If you think that you could realistically and significantly improve your scores, retaking might be well-advised. If you think a 700 math is about as good as you’re going to get, stay put and focus on other parts of your application profile.</p>
<p>Why not retake it? The first time I took it, I got a 2250: 770 CR, 780 W, 700 M. Like you, I figured it was a good score, but I also saw people getting 2300+. I figured I take it again and at least try to get math up for a better superscore. The second time I took it, I got a 2310: 800 CR, 800 W, 710 M. A 2220 is barely competitive for HYPS, but not bad for Columbia, since they tend to care less about high SAT scores (2300+) than HYPS. I don’t know why anyone would advise you to focus on your GPA at this late stage; that’s basically set in stone. Obviously don’t lose it senior year, but there’s not much you can do about it. I’d retake the SAT in October if you have time (particularly if you’re trying to balance a less-than-ideal GPA, like I was) but focus primarily on writing your personal statement. And if Columbia’s really your dream school, apply ED.</p>
<p>Yeah, the issue is that I haven’t done any SAT IIs yet, unfotunately. Alas, if I want to ED Columbia, then I am going to have to go with these SAT I scores. The question is, can I improve my SAT scores enough to justify not applying ED.</p>
<p>^absolutely not, the advantage of applying ED is a far greater advantage, than any advantage of a 2300+ vs. a 2220. Honestly a 2220 is highly competitive RD or ED, remember that 2220 is about average for the accepted and not the applying class. So basically beyond 2200 it hardly matters what you get.</p>
<p>Think about it this way: if colleges like Columbia only took top students looking at grades, recs, essays and EC and did not look at SAT, what do you think the average SAT would be? my guess is it would be something like 2100-2150 because there is a correlation between doing well in school and doing well on your sat, so the fact that Columbia’s average SAT is only a little higher, should tell you that the SAT isn’t everything, especially beyond 2200</p>
<p>Many people with high scores who get in, think that they got in because of their high scores, but there is evidence to the contrary with both students with 2300+ getting rejected and students with 2100- (not just urm/athlete/legacy) getting accepted.</p>
<p>You do not need to retake it; once you get a 2200 (I got in with a 2160, but also had a 34 ACT) your SAT doesn’t really matter. I guarantee you that a 2300 would have almost no effect on your application; now that you have the SAT score, focus on grades and activities. </p>
<p>And like others said above, people on CC are INSANE. You should be ecstatic with your scores - Congrats!</p>
<p>You should absolutely apply early decision. The selectivity for the college ED this past year was ~18% while the overall selectivity for the college was ~8%. A 2220 is certainly competitive for Columbia, even in the somewhat more competitive early pool. Just focus on your personal statement now, since you’ll have to spend a good deal of time in October studying for your SATIIs. Good luck!</p>
<p>Yes, going with the general consensus on this thread, a 2220 shows that you are academically qualified enough to attend. Now just work on the other factors…why should Columbia take you, of all people? Then you’re set. :)</p>
Worry about your other application parts (i.e. grades) Remember the transcript is the most important :)</p>