<p>Retake after the SATIIs are done, but don't send to colleges until then, and only if they are higher. The higher the scores, the higher the merit money. His scores may also qualify him for National Scholarships such as Coca Cola.</p>
<p>No college will consider two SAT sittings to be "test anxiety."</p>
<p>Even if one score goes up and one goes down (i.e. math up, CR down) ... the schools will combine the higher scores. It can't hurt. If they both go down - don't send. Then again, his scores may go up with maturity.</p>
<p>He should contemplate taking the ACT also, if he scores well on a practice test at home. If he scores a 36 on the actual test, he does not have to take the SATIIs or the SAT again. </p>
<p>With those scores (or new higher ones) he should apply for Emory Scholars if he is planning to apply to Emory. (I believe you said he is.)</p>
<p>Of course, if your son does not want to take any more tests at all, he should consider himself finished with that part of applications - a job well done!</p>
<p>Colleges will look at a 1510 in one sitting with admiration--and you bet they will note that 780 in WR for a boy. Better believe it.</p>
<p>If you need the money then go for it. If not, well...striving for a 99% from a 98% is a huge message about the value of the original accomplishment and a message about the possiblity of perfection. </p>
<p>Are you certain 740/770 is on the cusp for some of the schools and some of the $$? I know you mentioned that one school had a 1550 cut-off for a scholarship...have you been able to verify that?</p>
<p>A reference was made to Curmudgeon's daughter. In addition to high SAT scores, Curmudgeon has reported that his daughter was the member of a state-winning basketball team and had other fairly impressive EC's. He has also noted that she attended a weekend of activities and interviews for the scholarship she received from Rhodes. It wasn't just an SAT score that won that scholarship.</p>
<p>Many of the larger scholarships -national, school-based and community - are tied to EC's, student research, community service and criteria other than SAT score. I agree with the others who suggest not re-taking the test. If merit money is really the issue, perhaps spending time on some of these other areas of interest -- may result in even larger merit $.</p>
<p>
[quote]
A reference was made to Curmudgeon's daughter. In addition to high SAT scores, Curmudgeon has reported that his daughter was the member of a state-winning basketball team and had other fairly impressive EC's. He has also noted that she attended a weekend of activities and interviews for the scholarship she received from Rhodes. It wasn't just an SAT score that won that scholarship.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Since I am the person who made the reference, let me point out the danger of using circular logic. While nobody can dissect the minute reasons why Cur's daughter earned the Bellingrath scholarship, one can check the scores of who received the award. The daughter of another recipient had 36 ACT and close to 1600 SAT. I do not know about the third recipient, but know (simply from reading CC) that another girl from Texas won it in 2005 with similar numbers. </p>
<p>So, yes, having close to perfect test scores is not a requirement, but when it comes to "substantial" merit money, it sure seems to become as highly sought after as it is rewarded. </p>
<p>From an outsider's viewpoint --and I hope Curmudgeon might correct my erroneous speculation-- it does not take such high test scores for the "right to play" and visit Memphis as one of the 21 chosen candidates. However, when it comes to scholarship money, it is ALL about WINNING. You either get the money or you don't, and the consolation prizes won't pay for many pizzas at the arcade!</p>
<p>I think he said that the scholarship was due to the goats. I'm not positive though. I remember him talking about basketball and goats. I don't remember any reference to SAT's. :)</p>
<p>I vote for not retaking. In fact, my son (a junior) got his first SAT scores back today and will not retake the test again. (He got an 800M, 760CR, 730W.)</p>
<p>Here's why he won't retake: His older sister took the SAT once as a sophomore and received an 800W, 720M. She ended up with full tuition or better merit scholarships at Emory, Tulane, UNC (out of state), Fordham, Loyola New Orleans, and the University of Chicago. She attends the University of Chicago, her first-choice school. So, we felt that not retaking was the right decision and my son will follow suit.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Please send me his brain. I'll even pay for shipping.
[/quote]
LOL!! Will you take the whole package? YOu supply the xbox games, the paintball gun and the car and he's on his way :)
2boysima-
One of the scholarships we'd hope for expects 1550ish (tho I do know of one student who had a 1540 and got it). These arent locked in stone. They are reportedly not minimums, as they said at the fin. aid presentation at the college of which I am speaking, but they did throw out that high SAT # for the BIG scholarship. They do offer other scholarship $$, but if I could choose, I'd prefer he be in the running for the full ride than for the 30% off! Of course I'll take either one, but if I could choose... well...</p>
<p>Cheers-
I will be careful what I wish for. I wish I don't have to work 'til I'm 90 to pay for college!</p>
<p>He has a longstanding committment to a particular community service project (he's been doing it for many years), and he's involved in others as well. He's got a leadership role in one of his EC's and is working hard in school. We won't wualify for need based aid (I know, nice problem to have) so we are hoping for some merit money to help defray the cost.</p>
<p>twinmon-
We can'tr apply for the coca cola foundation scholarship. Grrrr. Don't get me started. But that's another story. As for the Emory scholars, thats actually the one we are hoping to be considered for. The high school has to nominate students for it, and can only nominate 4. Where we are, there are a lot of kids who apply to Emory, so having those SATs in the right range are important in order to be considered for nomination. I hope this makes it a little clearer. If we lived in Nowheresville, South Dakota the competition might be less, but we're not. So ya do what ya gotta do.</p>
<p>I agree that the consolation prize won't pay for many pizza's at the arcade...but 2400 doesn't guarantee the prize.</p>
<p>Robertson at UNC and Duke --- full ride + some amazing perks - has a heavy leadership/community participation component. The profiles of the 2010 barely mention academics.</p>
<p>Ingram at Vanderbilt --- full tuition - requires academics AND community service</p>
<p>From Rice's webpage about merit scholarships: "Recipients tend to be outstanding scholars with talents and personal achievements that add creative drive and flavor to the Rice population. Past recipients include political and community service leaders; researchers and math/science competition winners; creative and performance artists; entrepreneurs; scholar-athletes; and talented authors, poets, and journalists. "</p>
<p>A 1550 versus a 1510 is not likely to be what will qualify the OP's son for the big bucks.</p>
<p>Lots of viewpoints on this, and you and son get to pick what fits best. There are two ways this can go. Your son could be on the high end of what he would get on the SAT and retakes have a greater probability of going lower, than higher. Or, as most students do, he can improve on the next sitting, especially if it is taken senior year. Maturity and an extra year often brings up those numbers. Some targeted tutoring on the reading might help too. Since he will have been done with his SAT2s,most likely, after this year, he can send the scores out early fall, retake the SAT1s and if they are higher, he can then submit the retake. If he goes down, well, you save yourself that trouble and expense. </p>
<p>The other thing to consider is your son's feelings about all of this and his state of mind in general. If he is under stress, feels done with this, is struggling with other issues, or perhaps struggling with courses next fall, a retake of the SAT may not be the best use of time, energy, and direction. If he's hot to go, that's the best indicator of proceding with a retake. I would not drag a reluctant horse to this trough.</p>
<p>ima-
Thanks for your comments. We are fortunate :eek: that this will be our second round in the college apps. process. I am fortunately very familiar with all the scholarships you mention. Older s is at Rice, so am familiar with their criteria. Younger s spent a few summers at Duke. Much prefers UNC. Is aware of the Roberstson scholarship and others. Ditto for opptys at Vandy, Tulane, etc. Unfortunately, his HS is very competitive and he wont be top 10%, so we are looking at other variables. Believe me, I wish there was a guarantee. Older s was NMF , and it was fun to see the $$ offers flying in. Those guarantees do exist, and we'll see the PSAT scores soon. We learned a lot from the first go 'round. We'll approach this one a little differently.</p>
<p>cpt-
I fully agree with your sentiments. And I like all the suggestions to consider the retake in June, after the SATIIs. He is the one who brought up retaking it, not me, but that was at early this morning after we stopped dancing around the room upon seeing his scores, and before he was awake enough to be really thinking about what he was saying :D</p>
<p>To get max growth and to be able to decide where to send the old scores first, I would retake in October rather than June. That way if he did go down, all of the schools would have the old scores. You would be taking a risk on state of mind at that time, but you also would have time to fine tune the critical reading part over the summer and not have to think about the SAT1s this all important junior year, forcusing on grades and SAT2/AP tests. You can also maximize your prep time for the SAT2s by taking them in June rather than May.</p>
<p>Some of the schools will need all materials in by Nov 1, so Oct scores (if he liked 'em)wouldn't make it, true? Also, I'd imagine the stress of college apps next fall would make prepping for the SAT unpleaseant, to say the least. Someone actually suggested taking the Jan test, 'cause thats when all the jocks take it (less likely to interfere with fall or spring sports!)</p>
<p>It really is a standardized test, so the population taking the test doesn't change the scoring. The conversions are set before the test is administered, not after. And wouldn't January interfere with one of the most "jock" sports - basketball?</p>
<p>19382-
That's not exactly true. The scores are based on the population taking it each time. That is, there is a sort of "curve" based on the distribution of the scores at each sitting. So it does matter who is taking it each time.</p>
<p>From the CB site: "Percentiles are based upon a comparison of your score to the most recent college-bound seniors who took the same test. From year to year your percentile can change slightly depending on the scores of the group to which your score is being compared."</p>
<p>For RD, Oct scores and later arae not an issue. For ED and other early programs, rolling ,for example, it can be an issue at some schools, but if for a number of them, if you let them know the scores are on their way for ED, they will wait for them, I guess if the decision hinges on an increase--saw that on a few websites. For rolling type schools, those scores are stellar. For merit awards, you can often send later scores. My son retook his SAT1 in January for merit and specific purposes, after he had long declared himself DONE in that area. It did make a big difference as he went up 90 points on that sitting. I had wanted him to sit one more time (it was a 3rd sitting) but because he was so done, I let it go, but when a college called, and his GC recommended another sitting, he mulled it over and gave it a try, but his frame of mind was certainly not ready in fall. And he needed to retake the SAT2 writing anyways that fall as he truly bombed that one his junior year (scorechoice was in effect then so we just did not report that score, but he did need the test for a couple of his schools). Again, the mindset of the student is important with this especially since this new SAT1 is a beast of a test, and as Jym points out, fall senior year can be a crazy time. But then you have the benefit of focused summer study on it--that's what we did with the writing with said son, and the test is early Oct before it gets too crazy. Lots of factors to weigh in. Personal situations, feelings, etc have to be considered and so son and family need to go over all of these things. But ya know, with that score in his pocket, it is all optional and frosting on the cake. I've seen kids in this boat who bombed the SAT1--did waaay lower than practice tests, or what the kids' records would indicate the score might be. Talk about pressure then cuz you kinda have to retake then and the strategy for optimal results become more important. The OP's son is really sitting in the catbird seat, and he has my congratulations!</p>
<p>When schools "need all materials by Nov 1", they mean that they need all materials from the applicant by that date. Schools are more flexible about receiving materials from counselors/College Board. </p>
<p>Read the application instruction booklet for the college (which a lot of applicants don't seem to do, by the way, judging by the questions asked on CC)--it will often say what is the last testing day they will accept. If it doesn't say, then email the admissions office and ask. </p>
<p>I have to agree with xiggi--retaking the test doesn't make sense if you don't prep. I'd still wait till the May/June test to take full advantage of increased maturity. I agree that taking the SAT in the fall of senior year is a major hassle. This schedule worked for my D when she applied years ago:</p>
<p>Took SAT 1 in the fall of junior year, to prep for the PSAT (boy, isn't that backward?!)</p>
<p>Took 3 SAT2s in May of junior year (US history, math 2C, and the writing one). Wasn't happy with one of the scores.</p>
<p>Retook SAT 1 in June of junior year. Did better.</p>
<p>Retook the writing SAT 2 and took the biology SAT 2 (after mondo prep) in Oct of senior year.</p>
<p>You want to get the SAT 1 testing done in junior year if you can and save the test dates in the fall for SAT 2s if you need to take more of them.</p>
<p>Thanks for the kind words, everyone. I think the double bind,if he retook next fall, would be that he wouldnt want to tell them additional scores were coming until he saw the scores, and the results of an Oct sitting might not be available til after the preliminary cutoff. I like the idea of taking them in June after the SAT IIs, but this would mean he'd have to be SURE of all the schools he was apllying to, and send all his scores in May when he takes the SATIIs. He sent these to 4 schools, since it was a freebie to do so. Since he has no application on file (its too early), what will they do with the scores??</p>