Retake for a 2300+ Superscore?

Applying to College
1

<p>Hey guys, I got a 2220 and 2260 superscore. Here is the breakdown:</p>

<p>740 CR
720 M
760 W</p>

<p>This was a good improvement over 2130- 650 CR, 680 M, and 800 W. However, I feel that I could get even higher maintaining CR and W and getting math to 780, which I would've gotten without the stupid simple errors.</p>

<p>This would give me a high 2200 and superscore of 2300+, with marginal effort on my part. I feel that I need as high of an SAT score as possible to offset a lower class rank as I may be on the bubble for top-20 schools. </p>

<p>My top schools all do superscore: Duke (ED Nov. 1), Northwestern, Cornell, and Chicago.</p>

2

<p>Marginal effort for a higher SAT? Go for it.</p>

3

<p>I think a 2300 looks a lot more aesthetically pleasing to adcoms, I just wonder if it actually does- is there a tangible increase going from 2260 to 2320?</p>

<p>Like my score right now is close to the 75th percentile, but I’d like to be even higher.</p>

4

<p>bump! any opinions?</p>

5

<p>Agree with Rush10. 2260 to 2320 does “seem” like a substantial improvement. You should probably go for the extra 60 points. The only red flag would be that you might seem desperate for taking the test too many times.</p>

6

<p>Looking at some of these old posts. Where did Seahawks506 end up going to school? And did they stay or transfer? Follow up on some of these high achievers would be interesting.</p>

7

<p>@ELKyes - This post is less than one day old. But, I agree - followup for “chancing” threads would be interesting.</p>

8

<p>I might waste my time doing worthless chances if there were followups :lol:</p>

<p>Edit: To be on topic, if you can score a 720 on Math, you can score an 800. That’s like the difference of three problems. Just be DILIGENT.</p>

9

<p>Someone should dig up the thread that was started by an MIT Admissions Officer. I believe that the advice to someone with comparable numbers was that an SAT retake with those scores would not significantly increase the applicant’s chances.</p>

10

<p>^true. sat score over 2200 (or act 34) do not substantially improve admission chances at selective schools. there are several 2400s that don’t get in.</p>

11

<p>It may not be a major improvement, but it still does, right?
To be honest, I got a 2220 with minimal studying. Put it off the whole summer and I only really took half a practice test and direct hits 2 a few days before. I’ve only taken it twice, so I feel a third wouldn’t be inappropriate.
My class rank is 15% in a top 60 HS and not even because of my core classes (most rigorous schedule and higher unweighted than some top-10%) so I really want a high SAT to show I’m not just some mediocre student.</p>

12

<p>Just a side note, taking the SATs so many times is itself viewed negatively by the top schools. But if you are really confident of a top score (and yes, put in the maximum effort), you can try. Since what would be worse is if your score just increases by 20 points or worse, even decreases.</p>

13

<p>I think after 3 gets obsessive, do you think 3 is too much? They give room for 3 test dates so I think it’s still reasonable.</p>

14

<p>They also look at how many times you take the test. Someone who takes the test 6 times to get a 2300 doesnt look as good as if you did it in two tries.</p>

15

<p>I totally agree and I wouldn’t want somebody who took 3 tries to get a 2200 to get the same recognition I got for one. However, I feel like that isn’t a common situation and that a 2300+ in itself would be good. </p>

<p>My dad isn’t happy about the $75 fee but he says he will support me if I want to take it again. For me, the opportunity cost is minimal and the potential benefit certainly outweighs it. I feel like as far as academics go, this could help pull me up a bit more.</p>

16

<p>bump for any last thoughts. I’m leaning towards taking it again.</p>