I’m an International applying for college this year. I just got my SAT results (EBRW 740/M 780) and it didn’t go as well as I hoped based on KhanAcademy test exams beforehand. Originally I planned on applying early to MIT.
Now I’m thinking about applying everywhere regular decision and retaking the SAT (there is no november testing date internationally). Is it really necessary to retake the SAT, even though it’s only a part of the application? And would it be worth to do that and not apply early action?
Your SAT is 1520 total. Think about that. And also have a back up in case you don’t get accepted at MIT which has single digit acceptance rates for international students.
Since MIT EA offers no admissions bump, if you really think you will increase your SAT, apply RD, although I’m unconvinced that any increase will make a difference. You, however, may wonder “what if” should you not retake the SAT
Yeah I am totally aware of the low acceptance rate - actually at all colleges I‘m applying to. But if I don’t get in, there are still good universities in my home country (Germany), in which I’d get in without any problems. I’m just trying my luck.
Your SATs will not keep you out of any school in the US, even MIT. A 1600 would not necessarily get you into MIT, either. Your current SAT fulfills the goal of showing a high level of proficiency, especially in math, but the English score is plenty good enough, too. Don’t change your strategy in an attempt to re-take the SAT. Move ahead.
First, a 1520 is a superb score. Congratulations on that.
Second, the other folks on this thread are far more knowledgeable about this than me, but if you were my student, I would recommend to you “no way” in retaking the SATs UNLESS you had a lot of free time for the next sitting of the international test.
There is something to be said for going into a test not worrying about it. For some, taking an exam with no pressure (since you already have a great score) might give you a boost. But you need to assess the other things going on in your life (e.g., school, college apps, friends, family etc).
Also, I am no ED/EA/SCEA/RD expert. Given that @skieurope mentioned EA gives you no bump in admissions chances at MIT, perhaps applying elsewhere ED is something you want to consider. If so, you would then need to assess whether taking the SAT later compromises your ability to apply ED to another school.
This whole test optional thing seems to be skewing standardized test numbers for some of the “top schools.” Pre-pandemic, a 1520 is a phenomenal score. IMO, it still remains a phenomenal score today.
That was what I was also thinking, until I read multiple times, that your SAT score should be around the 75th percentile of the colleges you’re applying to. But I guess that’s just too much focus on the numbers
If you are at the 75th percentile, three quarters of accepted (or enrolled depending on which population the statistic is for) are below your SAT score. They got in, didn’t they?
My understanding from @MITChris’ posts is that the SAT is basically used as a threshold. Did you score at least 700 in math, or not. Once you’ve done so, it doesn’t make a big difference if it’s 780 or 800 (and from what I’ve read, the difference between a 780 and 800 can often be just one question). Once you’ve cleared the 700-math hurdle, then the MIT folks are looking at other parts of the application and trying to assess to see if the student would be a good fit there. And besides, what happens if you take the SAT again and drop to a 770 or lower?
Go forth and enjoy your life and don’t worry about your excellent SAT scores.
A scarier way to look at this is that there are 3 undergrads from Germany at MIT now. That means they accept around 0.7 per year - the likely outcome this year is they will take zero or one student from Germany.
I am reasonably sure that there’s nobody who wouldn’t get in with a 780M who would get in with an 800. I am even more sure that nobody in Admissions ever said "That was a close call! We almost admitted a kid but look at those scores? A 780! Glad we caught it!:
The SAT does serve as a proxy for overall mathematical preparation. Students who take the most challenging classes they can and excel in them tend to get high SAT scores. Soi you see a lot of 800’s, not because that number is important in an of itself, but because the student who rides the bus every day so they can take math at their local college - and is acing it - will tend to get a high score on the SAT,
That said, students who apply to MIT “to see if they get in” do not typically do so well in the admissions process. It tends to come out in their essays, their letters, and their interviews.
I think the part of me saying I’m trying my luck was a bit misunderstood. If I was just trying to see if I got in, there wouldn’t be too much sense in applying - I know that. It is my favourite school for various reasons, which in of itself is the reason why I considered applying there early action …
As you explained the chances are pretty slim, but this is nothing I worry about, because I have schools outside of the US where I could get in. I would, however, feel more than uncomfortable saying, that I’m certain I’ll be the one from Germany (statistically speaking) that gets in …
Aside from that, your points about the SAT math scores were reassuring. Thanks!
, one quickly forgets such simple facts if one is too focussed, which is exactly the reason, I asked for advice here. Thanks 