<p>So I just got my SAT results from January back and I'm trying to decide whether to retake or not. I went in with absolutely no preparation and got a 2200 (800 CR, 710 M, 690 W, 9 essay). </p>
<p>My main question is: should I retake it to improve my writing? Will colleges overlook that score because of my 1510/1600? Do they care how many times you retake? What if my math and reading scores drop the second time? My ACT score was a 34 with an english combined score of 33 (11 essay). </p>
<p>I'm looking at colleges like Emory, WashU, Northwestern, RochesterU, UMich, and possibly an Ivy. I will probably be an english or journalism major. Also considering that, what would be your advice on retaking/which scores to send?</p>
<p>You should probably check each college to see if they use the writing score but keep in mind that some colleges keep the essay to compare the application essay with.</p>
<p>imo, a 1510 m and cr score is good enough for the colleges you listed. I’ve listened to some college admins. speak, and most of them say that writing isn’t as important as m and cr. It sounds like your ACT score is really good, so they can back up your SAT scores.</p>
<p>^I agree. a 1510 is probably good enough for about EVERY college, yes, including HYPS.</p>
<p>I think that with your more-than-great-scores, you should concentrate more on acing the AP exams and SAT subject test rather than spend more energy on the SAT I</p>
<p>There’s room for improvement though, especially if you got a 2200 cold. Remember with recentering and test prep 1510 is much more common than it used to be, and while the writing doesn’t count as much as the reading and the math it still counts. It won’t be professors deciding whether you go in, so the overall number (2200) does make a difference on the impression you make.</p>
<p>I think you should buy the Blue Book, do a couple of practice tests, go over your answers and try to find out why you’re getting specific stuff wrong. Buy a prep book that focuses on grammar and read that through for helpful tips and brushing up on your grammar, and learn any basic math concepts that you don’t know/ aren’t very comfortable with to boost your overall score. You shouldn’t stress too much over your prep becaus even with just basic prep you should be able to improve your score, but it is worth it to try it one more time if you’re applying at Ivy level colleges. </p>
<p>Otherwise you’d be around the upper-middle of the pool. You want to be upper :)</p>
<p>I would retake the exam, especially since you are planning to major in english or journalism. 2200 is a great score, don’t get me wrong, but if that’s what you’re getting without putting much effort into preparing, imagine what you’ll get if you actually study.</p>