<p>Does a high GPA and class rank make up for a relatively low SAT score?</p>
<p>GPA: 4.0 unweighted - 4.9~5 weighted
Rank: 2/515
SAT: 2020; 650 CR, 680 Math, 690 Writing
SAT II: 710 Math I, 630 Math II, 610 Physics</p>
<p>kind of...how are the ecs and essays, though, because they are the real X factors on your app (assuming you're not a urm, athlete, or legacy)</p>
<p>I feel confident in my ECs and essays. I have a few state and nationally recognized accomplishments in math/science/music. </p>
<p>The only reason my GPA is not a 5.0 is because I had to take a few unweighted courses required for graduation. I just feel a little uneasy about my SAT scores.</p>
<p>I think that considering the large applicant pool, those scores, even with good ECs, really hurt.</p>
<p>Depends if Princeton is familiar with your school. Do your top students regularly go to top colleges? Your rank is very good so if your high school is recognized then it may be a boost.</p>
<p>Well, testing sort of blows grade inflation out of the water...</p>
<p>We do have people who get accepted to some of the top 20 schools, including Ivies. Last year's salutatorian went to Harvard.</p>
<p>I applied to the engineering program, but also submitted the optional music portfolio and resume with my repetoire.</p>
<p>No, it just leads them to believe your school is weak.</p>
<p>Weak? Our school had its fair share of National Merit Finalists this year, their rank is just not as high.</p>
<p>Thanks for the replies.</p>
<p>The answer to your question is: yes.
But you probably knew that already :)</p>
<p>Also: I get really angry if people claim any SAT score below 2400 is "weak". That's RIDICULOUS! Anything above 600 is GOOD.</p>
<p>"Above a reasonably good level of mental ability, above that indicated by a 550-600 level of S.A.T. score, the only thing that matters in terms of future impact on, or contribution to, society is the degree of personal inner force an individual has."
Wilbur Bender, former Dean of Admissions, Harvard University
source: [url=<a href="http://www.gladwell.com/2005/2005_10_10_a_admissions.html%5Dgladwell">http://www.gladwell.com/2005/2005_10_10_a_admissions.html]gladwell</a> dot com - getting in<a href="great%20article!">/url</a></p>
<p>Good ECs can turn the balance in favor of you even if your SATs are low. Contrary to the earlier thread, a good sat should be 700+. According to a counselor who has worked with hundreds of kids and gotten a majority of them into the Ivies, a combined 2260+ is considered the bar if you want a serious above average chance of acceptance at an IVY (More near HYP Level of Course). Of course ECs can alleviate the emphasis on scores but scores will still matter, how less one does wonder but nevertheless it has an impact. The OP shouldn't worry too much as long as his ECs are strong. Plus, do a second retake so colleges know that you tried at the very least to do better. Besides HYP, the other Ivies do take kids with 2100+. But 2100 is the typical bar meaning 700 average per section. Of course, I could be as wrong as the next kid. Best of luck OP though! :)</p>
<p>Thank you for the advice, Dr. Avrah and AY8888. It makes me feel a little more comfortable.</p>
<p>AY8888: HYP even take a few people with 1500-1700. Though it helps and most people at HYP have it, it is not a necessary condition to have 2100+ points.</p>
<p>Are you a URM? If so, then I would not be terribly concerned.</p>
<p>By the way, your SAT scores are not low at all.
If you haven't spent any time or money preparing for it,
I would have to say that you are quite the intelligent individual
to score so well, i.e. 650+ in all sections.</p>
<p>I would be more concerned about your SAT IIs, however,
since those tests are far more specialized and absolutely free from
cultural biases.</p>
<p>well subject tests just test knowledge.. so one can prepare for the subject tests and, to a degree, they aren't really testaments to one's intelligence</p>
<p>SAT I on the other hand is a highly g-loaded test: testing reasoning ability. Even though it isn't a formal IQ test, one's score is a good indicator of his or her mental ability.</p>
<p>lol not to jump on you though kwu</p>
<p>You might be interested to read, gukki5, that the</a> SAT II can be just as good a predictor as the SAT I.</p>
<p>Erm, that quote from the Harvard dean of admissions was from the 1950's. Since then, the normalization for the SAT's has changed, and test prep has become more rigorous. A 550-600 now is not what a 550-600 was fifty years ago.</p>
<p>I think an IQ test would even be an even better predictor of an SAT score. The SAT is not as good of an indicator of a person's intelligence as much as the SAT 2. The SAT 2s show a student's hard work and dedication.</p>
<p>Most students with high GPAs and low SAT scores come from underperforming high schools and/or disadvantaged backgrounds. For example, my high school's demographic has over 70% students on free or reduced lunch and most come from low income families. This contrasts to a high school in the next city, which is mosttly upper middle class and has a good amount of students scoring over 2000.</p>
<p>The top 10 students, this year, range from 4.2 to over 4.5. However, their SAT scores range from 1600 to 2000 (one person has this score).</p>
<p>I'm the valedictorian in my senior class in this school. My parents have a middle class income (40-70k), but my school does not offer every single academic resource it can offer. Although my parents have a middle class income, most of the top 10 students in the Senior class do not have middle class parents.</p>
<p>Your SAT score should not hurt you too much, but I would try to raise it. I think the other parts of your application could make or break your admission.</p>
<p>In all honesty, I think some people on CC are a bit too polite when discussing the test scores required to get into HYPS. It's actually a bit deceiving because people will say things like, "oh get above a 650+/700+ and you're good" and stuff. I mean, sure, you'll be qualified, but if you're unhooked and you really want to get in, you'll probably need a 2300+. </p>
<p>Instead of asking people what they think, you should try searching up old Official Results threads. Use the Google CC Search engine and type in something like, "Harvard 2011 RD" and you'll find threads where people who've been admitted will post their stats. You may be shocked at the sheer number of amazing kids turned away from these schools.</p>