<p>I just had a meeting with my college counselor, where we discussed the fact that I'm applying to very, very selective schools (Stanford, Yale, Princeton). I took the SAT twice in my junior year. The first time, I got a 2280--800 in critical reading and writing, 680 in math (which is what I got on my PSAT sophomore and junior year). The second time, I studied the math exclusively, and I raised my score to a 2310. Honestly, I thought that once I was in the 2300 range I was okay for schools like Stanford.
However, my counselor says that it's the norm for students applying to that kind of school to take the SAT 3 times, and not to do so might look like I lack ambition or a drive for excellence. The thing is, I'm really not sure I can improve my score any more, and what if my score gets lower? I've been so consistent in testing that it doesn't seem all that likely that I would improve much. I'm also worried that time I spend studying for the SAT is time I can't spend writing my essays or doing my supplements, which are potentially more important than 10 or 20 points. Finally, I did get 800s on both my subject tests (USH and Literature) and 5s on all my APs (Calc, Spanish Lit, USH) Does this say enough to colleges about my abilities?</p>
<p>At the same time, my application is already not the strongest in terms of ECs, and I don't want 10 or 20 points on the SAT to be the difference between acceptance and rejection!
What do you guys think? Is the slight possibility of a 2320 or 2340 worth it?</p>
<p>Lol I swear when people say they got an 800 CR and <700 Math it makes me cry because it is the exact opposite for me. I think you should just go through Dr. Chung’s and get an 800 on Math. A 2400 would help a lot. Going from a 710 to 800 on math is, without doubt, the easiest way to improve your app significantly.</p>
<p>FYI: 1 in 900 students score a 2310, but only 1 in 7,000 score a 2400.</p>
<p>You do not HAVE to do anything. Only your highest scores get count. If you do not have an aversion to test, try doing it one more time without studying, without the pressure. See what happens. Not having any anxiety when you take a test can make you feel free.</p>
<p>i’m pretty sure no matter how hard i study, i’m not going to get an 800 in math… raising my score from 680 to 710 was already pretty challenging. i also have about zero time.
in terms of improvement, i think the most i can hope for is 10-30 points more, bringing me up to a 2340, max. would that still be worth it?</p>
<p>@kieran god yeah i have friends that are the same way, great math scores but want higher critical reading. funny how that works
it’s honestly part of why i think the SAT is such ********-- it’s not even fair how easy CR/Writing are for me, and i don’t think they actually show anything about my potential in college. i wish i could just submit ap tests instead-- we had an adcom guy from hamilton, in new york, at our school today, and he told us that at hamilton you can submit ap scores, ib score, sat subject tests, or sats, as long as they demonstrate ability to read, write, and do math.</p>
<p>2300 is amazing no matter what school you’re applying to and getting a 2400 wont make a huge difference, but if you honestly feel like you can get a 2400, go for it.</p>
<p>Although many believe that SAT score really doesn’t matter after a certain level, I believe the data shows that college acceptance rate grows exponentially after 2300 to 2400. For example, applicants with 2400 SAT had approximately 50% acceptance rate at top ivy schools. I personally would be satisfied with a 2310 but it wouldn’t also be a bad idea retaking it for that 800 in math. However, what your GC said is unfounded. There is no reason why you should take SAT 3 times because it would make you look “ambitious”.</p>
<p>Your GC said that? I have always been told that if you take SAT tests too many times, the colleges think you’re not…proficient. I heard 2400 at one-sitting is the ideal achievement.</p>
<p>By the way, one way you could improve your SAT score is this: if you have time left over from CR or writing sections, go back to your math sections and just use that time as… fruitfully as you can. But you HAVE to make sure the proctor isn’t looking…although this isn’t really cheating, I mean, you’re just using your time management skills. So yeah, that should do the trick. I know a Harvard student who used this to get a 2400 on his SAT, so don’t feel bad. :P</p>
<p>P.S. I wish I had your CR score and give you my math score.</p>
