<p>I'm going into my senior year and took the SAT for the first time in June. I got 720 CR, 700 M, 800 W (10 essay). I'd normally be satisfied considering I broke 2200, but the 700 on math worries me. I've always been a "math person", and I want to major in something like economics or a physical science. Having my supposed strength be my lowest score might look bad.</p>
<p>My reaches are probably going to be 2-3 from this group: Amherst, Wesleyan, Tufts, Cornell, Brown, Dartmouth. Before any of you go on about how I have no chance at any of those colleges, I will make that concession myself. I know I won't get in. But does my 2220 give me at least a chance at any of these?</p>
<p>So should I retake the SAT, try the ACT, both, or neither?</p>
<p>Don’t tell yourself you won’t get in. SAT may be important, but not the ultimate deciding factor. Go ahead and retry it by all means. I mean, I’ve taken the SAT 3 times. Nothing’s stopping you, and you might as well do better if you can. Even if you can’t up that math score, it’s still SUPERB. It really is. What I’m saying is that you have a very competitive score, and it’s good, but take it again if you can. Why wouldn’t you? Take it until you’re satisfied. </p>
<p>Besides, that, I honestly think that the ACT is a much better measure of how good you are in math, as it questions you on higher math problems such as trig and a bit of calculus, and looking at your post, I’ll bet you’re good at that stuff. Then again, I’m not sure if they look at your individual ACT section tests.</p>
<p>ACTUALLY, I have a better idea. Take the SAT II subject test for something math related, and then show them what’s up. that’s the best thing to do, probably.</p>
<p>I got 780s on the Math II and Chem subject tests. The math there was also disappointing because of how big the scale is. </p>
<p>I neglected to mention that I have a 3.7 UW and that’s why I have no shot at Ivies. Got pretty much straight B’s freshman year and since then I’ve gotten only one B, so there’s improvement, but a 3.7 is a 3.7 no matter how much you sugarcoat it.</p>