SATs and Admissions?

[midnightmailman]

<p>I've read multiple threads about adcoms and the SAT's but I feel that I could use some clarification.</p>

<p>If a top school wants to see all SATs and claims to consider only my best test scores, does it make a difference in my application between taking the test 3 times and taking it 4 times? I've improved from a 2100 first sitting to a 2300+ 3rd sitting, and i feel like a sub-750 CR does not represent my abilities (i'm a humanities girl). </p>

<p>I understand that a 2300+ score is good enough and I am quite satisfied, but again... its the sub-750 vs 800 CR that i'm worried about as an ardent reader :(</p>

[SereneSilver]

<p>Please remember that the SAT scores are only one part of the very comprehensive application, assuming you’re applying to some of the more selective colleges. There have been plenty of 2400 scorers in the past who did NOT make it to the colleges of their choice. </p>

<p>So be glad with your score! In addition, taking it >3 times is generally considered to be not recommended. Relax, your reading skills and your passions for humanities will show itself in your essay writing and whatever activities you’ve involved yourself in during the past several years.</p>

[midnightmailman]

<p>Thanks for the advice! But I’m just wondering… why is it not recommended, assuming i can improve?</p>

[SereneSilver]

<p>To quote Coopjust, a fellow CC poster, </p>

<p>“At some point you lose your sanity but the main worry is that you’ll appear testing obsessive. The unspoken rule is 3 times, but there isn’t any definite guideline. You could do a fourth…5 or more would probably make you look nutty.”</p>

<p>If you really feel strongly about improving your score, by all means, take it again, but I ask you to please do not overestimate how much the admission readers value the SAT score. Good luck with whatever you choose! :)</p>

<p>Edit: Another thread that might be pertinent to your question. <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/349391-retake-how-many-times-take-sat-act.html#post4198038[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/349391-retake-how-many-times-take-sat-act.html#post4198038&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

[entomom]

<p>

But I’m just wondering… why is it not recommended, assuming i can improve?

</p>

<p>Because it may make adcoms think that you’re spending your time bumping up your test scores rather than more interesting pursuits. For instance, here is what the Dean of Admissions at Y says:</p>

<p>[Yale</a> Daily News - No choice on scores](<a href=“http://www.yaledailynews.com/news/university-news/2009/01/16/no-choice-on-scores/]Yale”>http://www.yaledailynews.com/news/university-news/2009/01/16/no-choice-on-scores/)</p>

<p>

When asked whether Yale looks only at a student’s best standardized testing scores, Brenzel said in an e-mail: “We do give primary consideration to the top scores attained. It can be helpful, though, to know how many times it took to achieve those scores.”</p>

<p>He added that a large number of testing sittings will not necessarily have a positive or negative impact on a student’s application. Rather, each piece of information in an applicant’s file is considered in the context of all other information about him or her, Brenzel said.

</p>

<p>My advice is NOT to take it again, to retake a 2300+ seems obsessive to me. If you have 2300+ and your CR is sub 750, it can only be slightly below 750, which is well within the range of testing error. You have plenty of other places in your application to show your humanities chops (gpa, course selection, essays, ECs, etc.), there’s no reason to risk looking test crazy for 20 or so points.</p>