<p>First of all, I am a student in China.
I took the SAT for my first time in November 2011 and got a 2280.(CR: 730 M: 770 W:780)
Then I took in again this June and got a 2300(CR: 800 M: 800 W:700)
I don't know what happened with my writing part. I thought I could get 800s on all three sections when I finished the test. It is really unusual considering that my score last time is 780.</p>
<p>So now I am wondering if I should take the tests again in October. I think my super score is enough(2380). However, I heard that Harvard does not accept super scores. </p>
<p>Let's not talk about other stuff like GPAs and ECs. Do you guys think I should take the test again to apply?</p>
<p>“With the SAT, small differences of 50 or 100 points or more have no significant effect on admissions decisions.” – William Fitzsimmons, Dean of Harvard Admissions.</p>
<p>In addition, please note the relative low-order of importance that Harvard places on the ACT/SAT:</p>
<p>“We have found that the best predictors at Harvard are Advanced Placement tests and International Baccalaureate Exams, closely followed by the College Board subject tests. High school grades are next in predictive power, followed by the SAT and ACT. The writing tests of the SAT and ACT have predictive power similar to the subject tests.”</p>
<p>I see your point, but I saw on other websites that one quarter on Harvard students have scores higher than 2380. Wouldn’t it put me at disadvantage if it actually comes down to the comparison of scores? I know all AOs say that scores don’t matter, but what can they resort to when they have to choose one between two candidates with similar ECs?</p>
<p>“Wouldn’t it put me at disadvantage if it actually comes down to the comparison of scores?”</p>
<p>No, Harvard is not a meritocracy – students with perfect SAT/ACT scores are rejected every year. Attaining perfect scores will not necessarily get you the fat envelope.</p>
<p>“What can they resort to when they have to choose one between two candidates with similar ECs?”</p>
<p>"Recommendations from secondary school teachers and counselors are extremely important at Harvard and at many other colleges, particularly those with selective admissions processes. Faced with more academically qualified applicants than places in the freshman class, our admission officers review the two required teacher recommendations and the counselor report with great care, often commenting on them in writing on “reader sheets” in each application.</p>
<p>We often project the recommendations themselves onto large screens so that all members of the Admissions Committee can see them during the subcommittee and full committee review processes in February and March.</p>
<p>Recommendations can help us to see well beyond test scores and grades and other credentials and can illuminate such personal qualities as character and leadership as well as intellectual curiosity, creativity, and love of learning. Along with essays, interviews, and other materials in the application, recommendations can offer evidence of an applicant’s potential to make a significant difference to a college community and beyond."</p>
<p>How would Harvard utilize IB tests as an indicator of success at Harvard when the tests are administered at the end of the senior year long after the admissions process is completed? It doesn’t make sense to me.</p>
<p>I don’t know the answer to your question; I’m just posting what “the man” said. I do know that some students take a post-grad year (a 5th year of high school), so it may help those students, but I’m not sure how many students actually do this.</p>
<p>What’s the most important part of the application?
“The most important part of your application — bar none, no question, any college — is your high school transcript. Probably the next most important are your teacher recommendations, particularly if you’re applying to any kind of selective college or university.”</p>