<p>Okay, so I know about the whole "holistic" process. But is it for real?
I did see some applicants around who got in because of great essays and not so great SATs, but majorities were 2300+.
So is it true? Is princeton SAT crazy?!</p>
<p>Just because they had good SAT scores doesn’t mean they were accepted because of those scores. It’s likely that people with great SAT scores also have great academics and EC’s and were accepted because of those. AKA the third variable problem.</p>
<p>When you’re a hyper-selective Ivy, you get your pick of applicants with “crazy” SAT scores, great GPAs, and impressive ECs. They can reduce the applicant pool on the numbers and still have to turn away students who will be a success wherever they attend.</p>
<p>Princeton and like schools aren’t “SAT” crazy. They are “excellence” crazy – and that often includes great SAT test takers. It’s very important but not the only thing. As others have said, note the 2300+ scorers who get rejected.</p>
<p>But those who don’t have great SAT scores are still easily weeded out, I guess.</p>
<p>A bad SAT score raises some red flags - if you have good school grades but a terrible SAT score, then they may think your school grades too leniently. If you have bad reading/writing SAT scores but a suspiciously good essay, then that raises red flags as well.</p>
<p>On the other hand, I did horribly in my writing section, but I wrote good essays in addition to having a great rec from my english teacher, being involved in a lot of journalism, getting 5’s in both English APs, and getting really good English school grades. So I think they were more likely to pass it off as a “bad day”. It’s all about consistency, I guess.</p>
<p>If you do VERY badly then they may consider that your academic capabilities are not upto par with the rigor of the school, which I think is fair.</p>
<p>They can usually tell by the combination of your essays and SAT score how good or bad your English is, although they will definitely account for “red flag” situations.</p>