<p>okay. so i took SATs for the first time with no studying or whatever and did okay. i got mid 700s for writing and critical reading, but didn't do so hot on the math (like 690). so should i even bother thinking about MIT? i am by no means a math genius, but i usually "get" it pretty quickly. i'm going to take SATs again and will most likely (hopefully) get better scores</p>
<p>basically- since i'm stronger in the writing department will MIT admissions look at that as a good thing or a bad thing?</p>
<p>I have a gut feeling that MIT considers high verbal scores more carefully than they do high math scores (that is, I assume high verbal scores are more rare). But that's just a gut feeling.</p>
<p>In the long run, obviously, higher scores can't hurt you. ;) That said, 690 and 700s are very respectable.</p>
<p>Admissions has said something along the lines of being in the 700s means you're in the clear, and other parts of your application will get you <em>into</em> MIT. SAT's are just the initial, "Can you handle it?" Like Paul said, 690 is close to 700 - you might want to think about taking it again, but you're certainly not out of the running.</p>
<p>Ok seriously, I can honestly say that I don't exactly remember my SAT scores (because that's how important they are...), but I think you might have beat my math score...</p>
<p>SAT Math is not real math, I'm convinced. That being said, there are definitely ways to study it if you don't get it the first time. Hunt around for Xiggi's method in the test taking forum, because I seem to recall there being some really helpful math shortcut advice for the SAT in that thread.</p>
<p>I wouldn't by any means cross off MIT. I mean, you can definitely get the score up (across the board even) if you want.</p>