<p>Is there a soft gap, (ie a certain score is "good enough" and anything above that will do nothing extra) or is 100+ hours spent studying for close to a 2400 really worth it? </p>
<p>I'm curious because a few months ago I attended a Harvard admissions meeting and they said that they only look at your test scores to determine if you're an academic fit; once they decide the scores are good enough they don't care anymore. However, people on this board seem...how to put it...slightly obsessed with ridiculously high scores. I get the feeling that applying to top schools with an SAT score below 2300 or an ACT score below 34 is basically just a waste of the application fee. </p>
<p>It’s both. There is a soft limit like a 2100-2200 BUT at the same time so many people are applying with 2350s or 34s that you really should shoot for that e.g. if you get a 28 ACT, you would retake the test but if you got a 32, stay put. </p>
<p>I’d still study as best as you can, 100+ hours if needed. Aim for a 2300+, but if you take it some 2-3 times and still only get a 2100-2200…don’t sweat it anymore and still apply. Girl in my grade got into Penn with a 2200 something.</p>
<p>For an “unhooked” applicant, getting a high score on the SAT/ACT and having a perfect/near-perfect GPA in the most rigorous set of classes offered by a high school is sort of like checking the “qualified applicant” box on the application to a highly selective college. The other aspects of your application (artistic/athletic talent, extracurriculars, community service, awards, leadership, etc.) will determine the admissions decision.</p>
<p>Applicants with “hooks” (URM, recruitable athletic talent, outstanding musical talent, economically/socially disadvantaged, legacy, etc.) can make it to committee with lower numbers…and, at that point, other aspects of the application will determine the admissions decision.</p>
<p>High standardized test scores can be important for securing merit aid offers from certain schools.</p>