Retake 2290 for HYPSM?

Test Preparation
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<p>So I got my April SAT results back and I got a 2290 (750-800-740 CR-M-W). This is my first SAT since freshman year (1370). I got a 234 PSAT.</p>

<p>Part of me says that I should be happy because I basically reached my target (2300), and I still have a shot at my top choice, Stanford, even if I didn't match my PSAT.</p>

<p>But then the ubercompetitive and CC-reading part of me says RETAKE! 2290? PSHH, THAT IS NOTHING COMPARED TO MOST OF THE STANFORD APPLICANTS!
I got an 8 on the essay, which I know I can raise. Critical reading I may be able to raise if I continue to focus on vocabulary. And there is nothing to lose except time spent studying, a weekend, and part of my sanity. I know I'm capable of a 2400 combined but with the stress involved and the luck and stamina needed, a 2350 is probably a more realistic goal.</p>

<p>Basically, is the work of studying for and taking the SAT in June worth getting a higher score (possibly)? Do ~50 points matter that much?</p>

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<p>Friend... honestly, you need to relax. You should not take the SAT again. Your composite of 1550 (only verbal and math matter as of now) is outstanding. A 1580 or 1590 is not going to put you over the edge. You need to accept your outstanding score and move on to other parts of your application. I am a senior this year; after going through the stresses of the college admission process over the last year or so, I feel that I am giving you pretty decent advice. Your scores certainly keep you in the running for Harvard, Yale and Princeton.</p>

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<p>Your scores certainly won't keep you out of the top schools nor will they be the tipping factor to get you in. The scores you got certainly reflect that you are acedemically qualified (hopefully your GPA is at the same level). Spend your time doing something that will help tip you into the schools you want, instead of perfecting your near perfectness.</p>

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<p>just so you know, i got into stanford with a 2290</p>

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<p>i got into dartmouth, stanford and harvard with a 2090</p>

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<p>If you feel you can do better, retake. Otherwise, a 2290 is perfectly fine.</p>

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<p>tarun, are you a URM or recruited athlete?</p>

<p>OP, you should read some of the past posts on other kids asking to retake or not. You'll realize that anything at or above 2250 with relative equal distribution (or as long as each section score is in the 25-75% range, or higher) will be good enough these days, esp. since SAT scores have become more like something to check off rather than a "hook."</p>

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<p>Wow, pinkytolip, congratulations! That's a great score! I'm curious, though, how did you get a 740 for writing with an 8 on the essay? I had a 12 on the essay, and missed 7, ommitted 0 with a score of 700. According to the practice SAT table, I have a MC raw score of 40, which with a 12 essay should be a 750? Was I mis-scored? Has anyone else wondered this?</p>

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<p>I also had a 740 writing with an 8 on the essay.</p>

<p>My MC Writing was a 78</p>

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<p>If you think you can raise your sat score by 10 more points with little studying, I say go for it. A 2300 looks cooler than a 2290 :D</p>

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<p>Then, you'd only come off as a kid who only cares about grades/scores, which isn't that cool at all. I say spend more time making other parts of the application stronger, such as E.C., community service and the likes.</p>

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<p>Tarun isnt hes an Asian with great ECs though, not an URM at all. Just testament that there is a reason that 1/4 of the HYPSM class are BELOW the 25th percentile (little Yogi-ism there lol)</p>

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<p>whats URM?
tarun, are you an international student? and where did u choose to go? or were u kidding around man?</p>

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<p>what about 2200 (680 CR :( 760 M & W)?</p>

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<p>Tarun isnt joking hes from the US and im not sure where he decided to go if I remember right was it Harvard?</p>

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<p>I know of a guy accepted to Princton this year with a 2290. 2250+ doesn't really do much more than 2250 unless you think you can almost max out, as with 2290 you obviously missed very, very few questions.</p>

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<p>i got into stanford with a 2300. I think it woudl be a mistake to retake, since it might give them the impression you have no life and just take sat tests on saturdays</p>

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<p>Thanks for the helpful replies. I guess I won't retake in June. Congrats Lamdun, Tarun, and collegecanwait for getting in. Asymptotocles, my multiple choice score was a 77/80.</p>

<p>some background stuff:</p>

<p>Sri Lankan (South Asian), which probably hurts my chances
4.0 GPA unweighted & our school doesn't rank
12 APs (if I decide to take AP Lit next year) with mostly 5's and some 4's
ECs are crappy/average compared to rest of CC but existent
SAT IIs (Math II, Physics, Chem) pending (taking in May)</p>

<p>I think I might study over the summer and retake in the fall. If I don't do better, I can just not send them, right? I'm just a perfectionist, I guess.</p>

<p>For the people who got into Stanford, what were your stats?</p>

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<p>Go to the Stanford forum and see the RD thread.</p>

<p><a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=165232%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=165232&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>People get in with less than 2200. SAT is really not a tipping factor, you just need to have a high score. SATs will vary, but ranks will always be very high.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.stanford.edu/home/statistics/%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.stanford.edu/home/statistics/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>Check out the common data set SATs. People get in with SATs much lower than yours.</p>

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<p>pinky, ALL your SAT scores will be sent to all the colleges you are applying to...</p>