<p>Hello, I am just kind of getting into the whole college process and I was wondering what I should do about my SAT's. I have a cumulative score of 2150, but my section scores go as follows: MATH: 650 VERBAL: 750 WRITING: 750. I was wondering if my Math score is too low in comparison to my other two scores, if it is better to have two very good sections and one crap section or a more even division, and if colleges will look at my writing score? When evaulating if I should take them again, keep in my mind that I would like to be competitive at as many schools as possible and, more specefically, looking at schools like Colgate, Middleberry, Bowdoin, Kenyon, Carleton...</p>
<p>please...I need to make a decision soon if I re-take them or not...</p>
<p>look at the common data sets</p>
<p>since colleges take the best of each section, why not retake and just concentrate on studying for the math section. SAT scores improve with study, particularly the math section.</p>
<p>okay, thanks for the advice, but is that true with all colleges? That they "superscore"? Also, is 650 an embarassingly bad score when applying to some of the top tier schools?</p>
<p>i thought colleges took the average of your sat scores and disregard the sections. for ie: if u get 2100 once and then 2200, then ur score is 2150. i didnt know they took the best of each section.</p>
<p>Check the college. Most will tell you somewhere their policy. Many will take the best score, regardless of test. Some will take the best overall test. I don't know of any that actually average the scores as posted above.</p>
<p>is 650 too low of a score for the to schools?</p>
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i thought colleges took the average of your sat scores and disregard the sections.
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<p>I've never seen an announcement by any college that that is their policy. The usual policy at selective private universities is what has been called "superscoring" here: giving you the benefit of your best score, section by section. There are quite a few state universities that count your best single-sitting score. All colleges apply the same policy to all applicants.</p>
<p>"is 650 too low of a score for the to schools?"</p>
<p>No. It doesn't guarantee rejection but obviously it's better if you score higher</p>
<p>Would it be worth it to take it again at risk of lowering my other two scores, because I do not know if I could repeat 750's...</p>
<p>only if you think your math could go up. if the other two go down a little and the math has a big raise, it'll be fine, but you don't want to go significantly down in everything.</p>
<p>Make sure you ask you college counsellor at school..they may have had students with similar scores and similar backgrounds apply to those schools and should (if they are doing their job well) have a pretty good idea about what those schools are looking for.</p>
<p>Also, are you applying for any special programs? Anything involving math and science? -- since Kenyon is on the list, I assume not :) -- Try to assess just how important those math scores are going to be.</p>
<p>Finally, go with TheVeganActress's advice: if you think a retake will significantly improve your score, then go ahead and retake...but remember how steep the math curve is at the high end.</p>
<p>Your scores are fine for the schools you've mentioned. They tend to be more "let's look at the whole student" during their admissions processes rather than lining people up by their SAT scores. Despite the common "wisdom" on CC, 650 in math is nothing to sneeze at, especially for someone pursuing non-mathematical majors. </p>
<p>However, if you want to be sure, spend a little time on their websites. They'll give you an idea.</p>
<p>If I were in your shoes I would DEFINITELY retake your SATs. I mean come=on, look at your Math score. Its horrific. I could have gotten that in ninth grade. Honestly, if you want to succeed in life, my only piece of advice would be to take them again.</p>
<p>Okay, thanks to everybody for the great advice, just one more question, is it true that my writing score will count for nothing? I have heard from some people that a majority of colleges throw out your writing score, which, obviously, is a dissapointment to me as it is one of my strengths....</p>
<p>Don't believe everything you hear, especially at the colleges you have mentioned.</p>
<p>I would retake. Not that the schools won't accept you, but you want to do your best right? Don't have yourself think in April if you were waitlisted, "Would I have gotten in if I had retaken?" I'm not saying it will happen but...</p>