<p>Hey, so I just recently took my SATs for the first time as a Junior and got a less than desirable score of 2230 (CR-680, M-750, Wr-800). I hope to take the test again so that I can improve at least the CR and get that score into the 2300s. I know that Yale requires that one submit all SAT scores regardless of how many times the SATs are taken. So I was curious: if I were to do better on my SATs and boost it into the 2300s, will my first scores still be a detriment and severely hamper my ability to get into Yale, or will Yale most likely only truly take into consideration the highest scores (despite being able to see every score)?</p>
<p>Bringing up your critical reading would definitely be a plus, but that’s still a really, really good score. No way it would severely hamper or even significantly affect your chances. If you bring up CR and keep the others pretty much the same then you’re golden.</p>
<p>It might raise some eyebrows that you retook an already high score.</p>
<p>Your CR score may be ‘less than desirable,’ but your overall score is definitely good enough for Yale. I got a lower overall score but I feel pretty confident applying to Yale.</p>
<p>I don’t believe in raised eyebrows for retaking the test for the second time. Fourth, perhaps. But second is entirely legitimate, especially if you felt that the score does not represent your full potential, or if you feel that you can do something to improve it. (Only you can know if that is true.)</p>
<p>(For one reason or another, some CC posters feel that high scores obviate the need for retaking, and argue that trying to raise a score borders on obsession. I would not worry about that: “little need for retaking” and “obsessive score hunt” are two quite different things, and adcoms are bound to recognize that.)</p>
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<p>If he had a 2390 and was retaking, sure. A 2230, however, has a lot of room for progress. If you retake it and get in the 2300s, it will only help you.</p>
<p>Your CR is low–very low by Yale standards. I would retake if you feel confident that you can raise that score.</p>
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<p>It likely will. You sit in the bottom 25% of the admitted students CR range–not where the average applicant wants to be.</p>
<p>Re-take it if you want, they will superscore it. It is a very good score. Everyone here thinks the SAT score is the biggest piece of the application puzzle. It is important but once you have a very good score like yours, the other facts play a bigger roll.
Good Luck</p>
<p>680 on CR warrants a retake.</p>
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<p>I should’ve clarified. I meant the lower CR score wouldn’t hamper his chances provided that he retook the test and got a higher score.</p>
<p>Thanks everyone for the advice. I decided that I am definitely going to boost up my CR score by taking it again. I guess the one question that didn’t really get answered is whether or not this past score will be a detriment even if I did phenomenally on my retake, as I know that for applying to Yale it requires that you send in all your test scores, regardless of whether they are the highest or not. Will they overlook the first attempt if my second attempt is far superior? Also, I guess for a little perspective I’ll give my stats:</p>
<p>Junior
GPA: 4.0 Unweighted (No idea weighted) and top 1% of my graduating class
APs: I taught myself the material for AP Calculus BC as a Sophomore and scored a 5, in addition, this year I am taking AP Statistics, AP Chemistry, AP U.S. History, AP French, AP English Language and Composition, AP Microeconomics, AP Macroeconomics
Courses: That is pretty much the summary for my courses as of Junior year, as there aren’t a lot of options for Freshman and Sophomore (except AP Calc BC). I’m also currently taking courses at the university in my town, which include Multivariable Calculus, Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, and Intermediate Microeconomics with Calculus (the last two are for next semester). I am top of the class in the first two at the moment.
ECs: Model United Nations for two years, Academic WorldQuest for two years, Envirothon for two years, treasurer/co-president of Amnesty International, Students Against World Malnutrition, Experiment in International Living: France New Frontiers (I was one of twelve kids across the U.S. and including Canada, Kenya, etc. chosen to go on this trip, which included volunteering at La Chorba, a program in Paris that helps provide aid for immigrants, another program that was a Parisian YMCA-type thing, and an internship at a traditional Parisian restaurant), Page for the United States Senate under Montana Senator John Tester (I am from Montana), and I volunteered extensively for Obama’s 2008 campaign (as in, phone calls three times a week, hanging voting reminders, registering voters, etc.)</p>
<p>Oh yeah, and I attend monthly CityClub Missoula forums as a student ambassador for my school (this is a group of people who discuss topical issues such as bear populations, legislative previews, etc.) and I volunteer for the regional chapter of the World Affairs Council.</p>
<p>@cmorris, D had similar scores to you as a junior (CR-680, M-770, Wr-800 = 2250). Against *my *wishes (I thought a retake was overkill), but at the urging of her GC, she retook. The goal was to get a “7” in front of the CR score. GC stated that it was a psychological barrier that needed to be achieved in order to increase her chances at top tier unis. Not sure how accurate that is, but we are both happy she took GC’s advice (current scores: CR-750, M-770, Wr-800 = 2320).</p>
<p>I know someone with a 2080 who attends Yale as well as someone with a 1960. The 1960 doesn’t do sports, but had phenomenal essays, so you might want to focus on other parts of the app.</p>
<p>just remember that HYPSM, Penn M&T/Huntsman and CMU CS all need scores of 1540+ (M+CR) so i would ask you to definitely retake and bring math up also in addition to CR.</p>
<p>Also I feel do not bring the Obama Campaign thing up in your app too much. What if the Ad Com dosent like him??</p>
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<p>I strongly disagree. Political passion is welcomed by colleges, as is ideological diversity.</p>
<p>Yeah, I don’t do a lot of sports, but I feel that when the time comes, my essays will be the my strong suit. I am currently in the hardest English class offered at my school and my teacher says that I have perhaps some of the most flawless writing she has ever seen and says that it is comparable to something that would be seen in a graduate school. It also has a very distinctive voice to it. I plan on having her write one of my recommendations as well.</p>