Is a 2200 on the New SAT good enough to get into the Ivies and other top universities

Applying to College
41

<p>"andystar wrote: (3) Would retaking to get 2300+ help you in gaining admission to Top Schools? WAY MORE THAN 2200! I'd like to know how he thinks that. I can't imagine any of the top tier schools that would look down upon a 2200 score from a person who scores 2300."</p>

<p>Well, I don't have too much data but this is straight from Brown Admission page which clearly shows that the "Percent Admitted" is higher for higher SAT scores. Don't get me wrong. 1540/2200 is a very good score. </p>

<p><a href="http://www.brown.edu/Administration/Admission/gettoknowus/factsandfigures.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.brown.edu/Administration/Admission/gettoknowus/factsandfigures.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>Admission Statistics for the Class of 2010</p>

<p>Distribution of College Board Test Scores (Verbal)</p>

<pre><code> Applied Admitted Percent Admitted Enrolled
</code></pre>

<p>750-800 4,014 1,022 25.5% 513</p>

<p>700-740 3,945 658 16.7% 386</p>

<p>650-690 3,944 375 9.5% 245</p>

<p>600-640 2,648 209 7.9% 148</p>

<p>550-590 1,226 87 7.1% 75</p>

<p>500-540 627 39 6.2% 32</p>

<p>450-490 303 8 2.6% 6</p>

<p>< 450 144 2 1.4% 2</p>

<p>Distribution of College Board Test Scores (Math) </p>

<pre><code> Applied Admitted Percent Admitted Enrolled
</code></pre>

<p>750-800 4,268 1,049 24.6% 541</p>

<p>700-740 4,531 732 16.2% 453</p>

<p>650-690 3,803 315 8.3% 219</p>

<p>600-640 2,299 187 8.1% 131</p>

<p>550-590 1,072 83 7.7% 61</p>

<p>500-540 561 26 4.6% 24</p>

<p>450-490 219 6 2.7% 6
< 450 100 0 0% 0</p>

42

<p>Hi Andy: While your numbers no doubt are probably similar through the top tier schools (I recall my SATs being right near the statistical median for my entering class at Yale!), without context the raw score indicates very little. To be truly indicative, I'd like to see corresponding numbers like AP classes and relative strength of curricula. I would suspect that those who might do better at the standardized tests are also taking more AP classes and rigorous cirricula. Maybe someone can confirm this hunch?</p>

<p>It's like the debate about percentage of legacies getting in. ONe factor is that having a parent who is a HYPS grad increases the student's familarity with things that top schools are looking for (expansive opportunities, passionate engagement in ECs, good school opportunities, etc.). Just looking at the raw admit rate of a legacy w/o examining those other factors isn't that useful. Do legacy applicants on average, have better GPA, test scores and come from top high schools? Probably so. Then one needs to look at the correlation....</p>

<p>As I said before, the OP looks to definitely be in the "realistic" pool. Beyond that, the intangibles are going to take supercede his/her chances, IMHO.</p>

<p>HTH</p>

43

<p>To Op, since you are Chinese, your chances are zero with those scores. Unless you score 2410 on the SAT and got the bonus question right, you can not get into any of the Ivys.</p>

44

<p>Retake it and then take the ACT. You're a Chinese male, and those scores aren't competitive for the colleges you want to go to when you're a Chinese male. Besides, nothing from you're description makes you an attractive candidate for HYPS and the like.</p>

<p>I recently had a Harvard alumni interview. My interviewer took a quick glance at my perfect GPA/2330 SAT/ 35 ACT, and said "You have the usual."</p>

<p>Also, the writing score can easily be a 800. You just need to practice, learn your subject-verb agreement/idioms/parallel structure, and you'll be fine.</p>

45

<p>LOL: Like I said before -- will you fit in (can you do the work)? and will you stand out (what makes you unique)? Just b/c you're a Chinese male w/o 99th percentile scores across the boards doesn't answer these two questions. </p>

<p>I happen to be a Chinese male. Admittedly when I applied the selectivity wasn't as insane as these days but still... my SATs were 1330 (yes, I'm THAT old) and I scored a paltry ACT29. But my "intangibles" really made me a very viable admit (no rejections from any schools). Top HS, extremely tough cirriculum, 3.8GPA, 10/200 rank, great recs, great essays, very unique background, OK ECs. It's not only the raw numbers folks. Never will be for HYPS. </p>

<p>(and Playerhater, that Harvard interviewer was very rude IMHO -- you have made a great accomplishment. I think it was condescending what he/she said to you. I bet he/she wishes his/her kids could score that well, I promise you!)</p>

<p>Regardless, good luck to each of you.</p>

46

<p>^If your scores don't impress a Harvard alum, why should the op's scores (if he retakes and gets 2300+) impress? </p>

<p>The premise of this thread is ridiculous. Whether a 2200 is adequate for admission into top universities will depend on the subjective components of your app. ie. extracurriculars, essay, recs...</p>

47

<p>people who get 2200 are obviously pretty dull, especially given you are a CHINESE MALE! Just take the ACT and hope that its a 36...</p>

48

<p>in my experience, i had a 2210 the first time i took them and was hesitant about taking them again since i didnt really feel like dealing with the stress and all that. my GC gave me some advice though, that made me decide to retake the exam. she told me that i would always wonder if i might have been able to get into a high reach had my SATs been just a little bit higher. i personally would feel better being denied from a school of the HYP caliber knowing that i had given it my all as opposed to not giving the SATs a second chance. i ended up taking them again and raising my score to a combined best of 2280 which was good enough to get me into dartmouth ED. so i would say that you dont NEED to take them again, but you might want to. the last thing you want is to live with "what if's"</p>