<p>lipgloss: That's the same thing I did. I only got a 1980 when I took it though. But I didn't feel like sitting in a room taking another 4.5+ hour test that doesn't actually rate your abilities in math, writing, or verbal skills so I didn't want to take it again. I thought that my SAT scores would be my downfall but they must not mean as much as everyone thinks since I got in, too.</p>
<p>stam - you're right - just to clarify, I wasn't talking about getting in just on the basis of SAT scores! </p>
<p>But tests, GPA and rigor combined are reportedly worth 40% of the app. That means that with stellar stats you can conceivably come up a little shorter in the essay or some other area like that. But a single poor mark in one of those categories could definitely do such a person in. </p>
<p>Also, take a look at the geographic region where many of those high scoring kids were turned away. Many times it's areas like California which had record early apps this year, or NJ, NY, or Massachusetts, where competition is always especially intense. If an identical app came from Texas or Florida, not underrepresented areas, by any means but just not as insane as those places, the person might very well have gotten in. If it came from North Dakota or Montana, they would walk in, if everything else was OK.</p>
<p>I read somewhere recently that a quality admissions looks for is the ability to finish what is started - someone who is persistent with all their activities over a long period of time. That makes sense too, because they want kids who, after all, are going to stick it out and graduate(also a key ranking on the school ratings).</p>
<p>Lastly, you can't really tell about the rep of the HS from many of the postings on CC. Schools really do take that into account.</p>