SAT1 for competitive schools!! 2230 vs.2300

<p>SAT score (JUNIOR year, october)</p>

<p>710-CR
730-M
790-W
(10 on essay)</p>

<p>total: 2230</p>

<p>I was aiming for 2200+ because i heard that was all you really needed for competitive schools. is that true?
but i thought my MATH would be way higher because that's my strongest subject! only 1440/1660 though.
(i took it sophomore year and got 580-W, 590-CR, 710-M) </p>

<p>I'm asian though so it looks pretty bad to get a low math score right? but i am from Arkansas. haha</p>

<p>And I plan on applying to really competitive colleges like Yale, Stanford, UPenn, Columbia..etc</p>

<p>Should I maybe retake for higher CR and M?
I have a lot of time to prepare. My GPA is really high but i REALLY want to get into Yale/Columbia. And I'm willing to retake if it'll help me get in! </p>

<p>But how much of a difference does 2230 or a 2300 make??</p>

<p>It's time for a link to the thread about the mathematics behind this: </p>

<p><a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-admissions/413821-sat-score-frequencies-freshman-class-sizes.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-admissions/413821-sat-score-frequencies-freshman-class-sizes.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>I've read a lot of posts on this website.
(Everyone seems to have such high math scores!)
I'm in the 96%percentile. And I dont want them to think it's one of my weaker subjects. I have As in all my math classes, is in AP Calculus, won regional math awards..etc. Would they assume that I only got those scores/awards because it's not as competitive in Arkansas? </p>

<p>I dont know if they'll take into the account the fact that I'm Asian and SO many Asians have really good SAT/Math scores. I would hope not.</p>

<p>I think you have a good chance, however some of these schools may still look at just your critical reading and math scores. I know dartmouth, an ivy, doesn't look at your writing score. The higher your C.R. and Math scores, the better chance you have these very selective schools.</p>

<p>That's what I was afraid of.
My CR and M scores are only 1440/1600. which isn't very good.</p>

<p>And if they don't put much weight on writing, it's like pointless to get such a high score in that section.</p>

<p>what are u talking about. 1440 is a great score.</p>

<p>For Harvard, UPenn and those colleges?
I mean I'll get good recommendations and a high GPA, not amazing ECs but not that boring either. pretty average but i'm not like a legacy or anything THAT special.</p>

<p>HOW much of a difference does 2230 vs. 2300 or 2400 make to admission officers?</p>

<p>College</a> Search - Harvard College - SAT®, AP®, CLEP®</p>

<p>the middle 50% is 1400</p>

<p>^the 25% is a 1400. Since you're only a Junior you have the benefit of score choice so I'd definitely retake. A 730 means you only got a couple wrong and getting up to a 1500/2300+ is quite a big difference.</p>

<p>lol I'm asian and math was my lowest score. </p>

<p>my teacher was like , "most of the time asians have perfect math scores but horrible CR, you're completely the opposite way around!" </p>

<p>I think you're fine either way. I wouldn't stress about it so much.</p>

<p>How exactly does score choice work?</p>

<p>You will be able to choose what scores you want to send to colleges and universities. Starting in March 2009, CB will institute the score choice policy. Unfortunately for my class (Class of '09), this won't help us, but it will help your class and all subsequent classes.</p>

<p>So if i get a better overall score next time I take it..but I want colleges to superscore for an even higher score, do i just send in all my scores? Can I only pick to send scores from one sitting?
Or can I pick the highest scores for each section and send those?</p>

<p>How does it work for SAT subject tests?</p>

<p>Just send in all your scores (which is the default right now for SAT scores, all at the same price). The colleges will take care of you by giving you the benefit of your best scores.</p>

<p>It won't hurt that I took the SAT 3 times?
Or that my Writing score may go down the next time I take it?</p>

<p>Tokenadult's post makes a good point, it pays to apply widely because you're in range and schools are taking kids with your scores.</p>

<p>It's also important to take a look at the schools' medians so you can have a realistic picture. For the class of 2012 at Dartmouth median SAT was math 740 CR 730. I would imagine HYPS is slightly higher. The bottom line is that most unhooked candidates will have scores above the median.</p>

<p>The thing is you never know what could push you in. Arkansas could do it and any number of things.</p>

<p>^^^ Thank so much hmom5! That helps alot.</p>

<p>I don't think I have that much of a hook besides the fact that I'm from Arkansas.
My ECs are decent, a couple of math and music awards. Recommendations will be good and working on getting to know my counselor soon after senior craziness is over.
Maybe talking to my counselor will give me an idea of how my SAT scores stack up to everyone else at our school?</p>