<p>True, specific scores are much less important than most people think. The gist of the post is well taken though. Schools are looking for diverse populations, so your racial, ethnic, geographic and economic background are all factors that weigh (heavily in some cases) into the admission decision.</p>
<p>The reality with the SAT scores that gets lost in the ‘game’ is that schools are looking for someone who meets their unpublished threshold. Once a student does that, test scores are no longer a factor. Think of it more like a qualifying score. The thing is, students who want to go to those school perceive that higher is better, so they retake the tests and squeeze as many points a possible raising the ‘averages’ for accepted students…which pushes even more kids to needlessly stress over the specifics of otherwise high scores.</p>
<p>In retrospect, I wish we could have convinced S1 to take the process more seriously. He assumed that his test scores and academic prowess was enough to get him admitted nearly anywhere. He has a great opportunity and I don’t know how it could or would really affect his life in the future. But, he may have been taken more seriously by his reach schools if he had actually put forth the effort. Ultimately, finances would have prevented attendance, so the process probably worked. </p>
<p>For me personally, this whole process has added a new ‘what would you do if you had billions’ thought. I would love to found a university, staffed with the best professors money could buy; filled with the best equipment and facilities; and dedicated to educating the absolute best and brightest in the country. A true magnet for the exceptionally bright student regardless of economic or social condition. Only recreational sports, I am a sports fan but this school would be only for academically gifted students. Tuition would be covered by endowments and corporate sponsorship. Admissions would be focused on the absolute best. Only 1st test scores taken. To get some diversity, guarantee admission to the top 20 applicants from each state. The more I think on this…it should probably be a new thread…</p>