I’m considering to EA Harvard, but I only have a 1540 SAT. Naviance scattergram shows that people who are admitted have at least a 1570. However, I did well on many of my AP tests and got good grades in challenging classes. Should I retake this in October? I’ve already taken the SAT twice now.
SAT score is just a small component among many in your app. A 1540 would get you in the running but may be quite low among unhooked REA applicants. IMHO you are most likely to get deferred, which means that you would have wasted your early chance at one private school. If you have no other schools you like then go ahead and enter the lottery for Harvard REA.
I wouldn’t bother retaking the SAT and instead focus on writing some killer essays. 1540 is a great score.
@jzducol Thank you for commenting. Do you know what score is considered normal or good for unhooked REA applicants?
Moot point. Harvard rejects 95% of its applicants, including many with 4.0/36/1600 stats. So if you’re unhooked, maybe it goes down to 3%. But there is no magic formula which will boost your chances to the double digits. As stated,stats are but one part of the package. If you get rejected with a 1540, you’d likely have been rejected with a higher score. The advice to focus on your essays is an excellent suggestion.
My opinion. Since you only listed your score I whole heartedly agree with skieurope you’ll be deferred to RD.
The most important factors are
- Are you academically qualified to go (depends on school (3.8+/32+ for most top schools, but the higher the GPA/scores the better)
- Are you hooked (athlete/legacy/URM/FG in that order, multiples would be super hooked)
- If not 2 then do you have anything that sets you apart (National competition placed/won, unique abilities/EC). If you don’t have 2 or 3 than forget about SCEA/REA at HYPS, give yourself the best shot by EDing somewhere.
I do know one person who didn’t have 2 or 3 above but made it in. She was deferred SCEA, admitted RD. Stats 35/4.0UW/4.5W/state champion in her sport although not a recruited athlete, plus numerous other ECs. You can see that just with this sample size of one how difficult it is to get in on the SCEA round.
A 1540 vs a 1570 is not going to be the difference maker. S’s best friend, white and unhooked got into H SCEA with SAT’s in mid 1400’s, excellent grades, great EC’s and a “go big or go home” essay. A data point of 1 for sure, but it is not impossible.
To be clear, I never said the OP would be deferred.
As I’ve said multiple times, the plural of anecdote is not data, but I will give another data point. I had 1 (or maybe 2) of the 3: I was academically qualified. I had no hooks. My EC’s may have been considered above average, but not superstar by any means. But in the end, I did very well in the admissions lottery, including being admitted to the 2 HYPS colleges to which I applied, one of which was in the early round.
That’s not to say that the OP will get admitted/deferred - nobody here knows. But best of luck
@CU123 I think I have 3, as I am ranked #8 nationally for snowboarding in the 16-17 woman division. As for academics, I don’t have a perfect 4.0 but I have a 3.97 from a B in AP Biology. Would that boost my chance?
Nobody here can say. Will it boost from 5% to 7% or even to 15%? Maybe. But it’s still a longshot for almost everybody.
As a point of reference, Nathan Chen supposedly applied SCEA to Harvard last year, but is now attending Yale. Read into that what you will.
I think it would, but be advised you could put in the exact same application and be accepted one year and rejected another, or you could put in the exact same application at Stanford and be accepted and rejected at Harvard. This is a human endeavor (in relation to AOs) and there are no guarantees.
I would stop worrying about 1540 versus 1570 and 3.97 versus 4.0. Anxiety about admissions is a common problem as you know. Just apply to schools you like (research and find a good variety that meet your needs). After that it is out of your control.
Congratulations on your achievements in snowboarding. That kind of accomplishment shows dedication and a work ethic that will be noted by admissions.
But noone can tell you anything for sure.
Try to enjoy senior year and do things that help you relax during this stressful time.
Oh dear, don’t focus on it that much. I personally know a guy (btw, he was an international applicant) who got into Harvard, Stanford, MIT, CalTech and Columbia with SAT 1530 (+received full tuition financial aid, #luckyboy). You already have beaten the needed broad, now the admission officers will look at the rest of your application and won’t pay attention on your sat. Good luck darling, hope to see you on campus next fall)))