I’ll get to the point so I don’t have to waste anyone’s time.
I’m looking for the CC community’s opinion on my decision to retake the SAT based on the colleges I’m applying to.
I took the SAT junior year and got a 1430-> 730 M 700 E (one sitting). I was fairly satisfied with that score as it seemed well within the range of the colleges that I planned to apply to.
I have submitted 6 early action applications with that score. I am now beginning to doubt my chances at the match/reach schools that I plan to apply to. For that reason, I have opted to retake the SAT on Demeber 1st of this year, hopefully meaning that I’ll be able to use any score improvement for my Regular Decision applications with January deadlines.
I’m aiming to improve my chances at the following RD colleges that I have yet to apply to: Bowdoin, Boston University, Tufts, Case Western, Colby
I’m also thinking that a better score will improve my chances at any deferrals I receive. Likely deferrals are: Boston College, Northeastern, University of Virginia
To give you a better general idea of my application strength: I have a 4.0 uw gpa, solid extracurriculars, carefully crafted essays/supplements, and a fair amount of awards/accomplishments throughout high school.
Last year I took the SAT with my highest level of math being HPC. I’ve just now completed one quarter of AP Calculus which may help.
Is retaking the SAT a logical thought process? I essentially just want to know if this is a good idea or not.
It’s true that it is a 97th percentile score nationally, although for some of these colleges 1430 barely reaches the 25th percentile of the previous year’s admitted freshman class.
Isn’t it too late? You are right to think your test scores are not great for competitive schools. By numbers, you can break down just how many kids there are in the top 4% vs 3% vs 2% etc. You should try the ACT too, if you have time to spare for prep. It is a real shame you didn’t take it a couple more times. If you were my kid, I would have had you try again. Make sure that your test scores taken this late are admissible.
@Sybylla Multiple choice reports are released on December 14th. I would be able to submit the scores before the 1/1/2018 deadline of many RD applications.
If you are willing to put in prep time there’s no reason not to take. Will you have scores sent directly to schools (without knowing results)? Or will you pay to have scores rushed after results come in? My concern is making sure the scores get to the schools in time. Do the admission requirements say December test scores fine? A 1430 is fine, too - especially if you’ve got good GPA, AP scores, etc. Good luck.
@4Gulls I will likely pay to rush scores once I have seen the results (Dec 14). At that point, schools should have just over two weeks to process the results. They will already have processed my 1430, meaning worst case scenario I get unlucky somewhere in the process and that is what they examine. In any other case scenario, an improved score (I may just focus on the English section to try to boost it), will result in a better superscore and thus a stronger application.
This decision should be based on more than the results date, a hope you do better, and last minute worries. When did you notice the mid 50% for Tufts is 720-790 M and 690-760 E? Or at BU, the average is 1468?
If you’re that confident of the rest of your app, Bowdoin and Colby are test optional.