<p>I'm a Junior. This was my second time taking it. The first time, I was sick, so I didn't do as well as I could have. (2180) Typically, my range is 2290-2340. It just so happens that I've fallen on the lower end of the range this time. </p>
<p>Is it worth it to retake this in October? Is this score good enough for the Ivies? For instance, some of the schools that I'm going to apply to are Cornell University, Columbia University, the University of Chicago, and Stanford University.</p>
<p>I would really appreciate some advice. Thank you. :)</p>
<p>Thank you, Sikorsky. That thread really helped me! </p>
<p>Rain202, I don’t want to take the SAT again simply because “it doesn’t hurt” though. I’d only really like to if it’ll make a big difference. </p>
<p>Unfortunately, I’m still a bit divided. I think the main issue is that I fell short of my goal of 2300 by 10 mere points. -sigh- A single question made the difference. Is a 2290 really that different from 2300? I realize that only ten points separate them, but 2300 just sounds so much more in my opinion.</p>
<p>I don’t think it will matter a lot but I know if it were me, I would definitely go for the 2300 for the Ivies. Great job though, I’m sure you’ll get in somewhere great either way.</p>
<p>For all we know though, maybe your app gets extra points by some particular Ivy League school if your SAT score is 2300. We’ll never know for sure </p>
<p>I got a 2290 too though, and I turned out okay. I don’t think the reason I was denied acceptance from a couple of schools was because of my SAT score. I was denied from Duke, Olin, Northwestern, and maybe one other school - but they’re all BIG on you being interested in the school. I was no legacy, I never visited, nor had any connections. That was the end of it :/</p>
<p>If you want to major in engineering or math at an elite school, it might be worth a try to get your math to 750+. Otherwise, I think you’ll be fine. From what I’ve read, the SAT’s aren’t the make/break portion of an application as long as you’re in the ball park. 2290 is in the ballpark in my opinion.</p>
<p>IMO, anything over 2250 is satisfactory on the SAT, whether it be for a liberal arts school, Ivies, or UCs. As well, there’s no guarantee that your score will improve on the next try. The safest and most sensible decision would be to be done with SAT I, and focus on SAT II.</p>
<p>However, keep in mind that some schools allow you to send in only your BEST score and/or your superscores for each section. In that case, taking it again would not hurt you. But in the end, 2290 is far more than enough.</p>
<p>Even though it’s only a 10 point difference from a 2290 to a 2300, you hit the nail on the head. A 2300 sounds so much better. Why? Same principle why $9.99 sounds so much cheaper than $10.00. Marketers know that.</p>
<p>College admissions people are human too, prone to the same psychology biases no matter what they say. Even if TECHNICALLY they don’t really see a difference, at some emotional level…they will perceive a significant difference that may (or may not) sway your app decision one way or the other.</p>
<p>I’d retake for peace of mind, not because 10 points or even 50 points at this level is so much better. Especially at the top levels (Ivies, etc.), you don’t want any dumb human biases coming into play with something like test scores. Let biases come in when you round out who you are as a person - essays, extracurriculars, interview, etc.</p>
<p>A lot of schools divide their applicants into pools, where they categorize 2300 and 2290 in different places. I’d definitely retake if I were that close.</p>
<p>it is qualified for the ivies.But if you can do like 2300+,I mean not just 2300, you should do it and will hv a more decent shot.yet the SAT is not the only thing colleges consider, even people with 2400 got rejected due to ECs, awards or other reasons. good luck</p>
<p>You can do what you want to get a 2300. And, fail to come across as an interesting person that an Ivy likes and wants. Ie, someone attractive for more than the scores.
Since it seems few read Sikorsky’s link, here’s the nut:</p>
<p>And yes, your grades and test scores (especially your grades) are important. But as I have said in the past, what ultimately really matters to us is who you are, what qualities you bring to the table. We want people who are academically curious and passionate, people who will bring their various talents to MIT and share them with others, people who will be good roommates, good mentors, good friends. We do not admit test scores. We admit people.</p>
<p>Focus on score perfection at your own risk.</p>
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