<p>To which top-level including but not exclusive to Ivy League colleges are the SATs most important? The SATs are probably the strongest part of my app, so I was wondering which good colleges realy value the SAT? Some schools are slowly looking at it less and less, but which are the opposite?</p>
<p>And for reference, my scores are:
CR: 770
M: 790
W: 760
T: 2320</p>
<p>And btw, I know that SATs aren't going to get me in anywhere by itself. My stats are good too.</p>
<p>You only scored a 2320? Weaaaaaaak… Rejection letters across the board. jk/, j/k.</p>
<p>Just go down the list of colleges from USNEWS/Collegeboard and see which schools have a “VERY IMPORTANT” status next to SAT scores.</p>
<p>Pretty much all top schools view the SAT in the same way. A high score will add significantly to your chances, and make up for a lack of EC’s and low GPA, but only to a certain extent. Browse some decisions threads and you’ll see many rejections of applicants with 2350+ SAT scores because (presumably) of sub-3.7 GPA’s. There’s no real way to play this strategically–just apply where you’d like to attend.</p>
<p>The Ivies all do a “holistic” review of your application, meaning in theory all things are equal across the board. In practice I’d have to believe SAT’s are simply a check list kind of item such that if you have high enough scores they won’t get your thrown out, but they also won’t make your application stand out either. I have to believe they certainly help keep you in the contender-ship though.</p>
<p>Holistic does not at all mean that all things are equal. Class rank is the number one factor at most highly selective schools. SATs are important too. The real holistic part begins once you are over those hurdles.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, for a lot of top schools great SAT scores are a prerequisite, not a hook.</p>
<p>class rank is not the number one most important factor for most schools… not at all…</p>
<p>Would u say the admissions process goes SOMETHING like this:
SATs + Class Rank + GPA Qualifies a Student
Recs + Essays + ECs get the student in.
???</p>
<p>Umm well I suppose recs essays and EC’s won’t get you immediately thrown out… so that could be one way to look at it. But class schedule/rigor is also highly considered when making an admissions decision I believe. So always take the most rigorous courses available.</p>