<p>I am absolutely NOT trying to show off my scores, by any means. This is a legitimate quandary of mine.</p>
<p>My scores are as follows:</p>
<p>January: 2040 (630 CR, 740 M, 670 W)</p>
<p>May: 2140 with a superscore of 2170 (710 CR, 710 M, 720 W)</p>
<p>October: 2270 (750 CR, 770 M, 750 W)</p>
<p>Normally, I would be okay with a 2250+. However, I am more sure than anyone could possibly be of anything that I'd be able to get an 800 in CR if I took the test again.</p>
<p>Are the (at least) extra 50 points worth it? Bear in mind, I plan on applying to schools such as Brown, Princeton, Stanford, and WUSL.</p>
<p>But if I take the test a 4th time, will I appear to be someone too obsessed with numbers?</p>
<p>No, taking it a 4th time would be a very bad idea. Your scores are about average for those schools, focus on the rest of your application and leave your SAT alone.</p>
<p>@jasonleb: Sure, my SAT scores are “average” for these schools But my GPA is not (~3.8). I have no idea how much application committees weigh SATs. However, if the weight is heavy, I need every advantage possible, you know?</p>
<p>@LondonGentleman: A 1520 is commendable, no doubt. But a 1570 would be pretty impressive too.</p>
<p>@keylyme: Are you 100% sure it won’t count against me? This is something I VERY seriously need to consider before acting upon.</p>
<p>@ilovemyblacklab: I appreciate the concern (no sarcasm). But as arrogant as this sounds, there exists no doubt whatsoever that the CR score would jump to 800. This post was moreso to ask, “Are the 50 points, an 800 in at least one section, and breaking 2300 worth the $45 and risking colleges being unhappy with my excessive amount of SATs?”</p>
<p>Again, thank you very much, all. Your input will continue to be valued!</p>
<p>From what I’ve experienced and heard, colleges don’t like seeing someone taking the SAT more than three times. It’s certainly not an Ivy, but an admissions woman from UM told me she counts it as a negative when she sees SAT or ACTs more than three times. </p>
<p>I would suggest taking the ACT if you haven’t already.</p>
<p>^^I can’t tell you with 100% certainty; I am passing along information given to us by my son’s GC at a top New England prep school where it is not at all uncommon for kids to do this. Everyone is actually expected to take it three times, beginning in October of the junior year. Most everyone ends up at a selective school. That is our experience. My son took it a fourth time because, like you, he wanted to ace a section. His scores are already good enough for the schools he is interested in, so he is just doing this “for the fun of it”.</p>
<p>^I know Columbia and few others say on their websites they recommend you not take SAT/ACT/etc. more than twice. Not trying to say you’re wrong, just putting on my own opinion and info.</p>
<p>I think 4 may be excessive, but what about just sending your highest scores? That is permitted as long as the school is aware. Is that so frowned upon by admissions? Then you could take it a 4th time and no one would know the number of times.</p>
<p>@OhioMom3000: Most of the schools I’m applying to request that I send all of my SAT scores (I.E. Stanford).</p>
<p>@jasonleb1: So you’re saying you believe that since Columbia has this policy, the other Ivies will as well? Definitely makes sense…</p>
<p>@keylyme: That’s interesting. However, most other applicants from my high school don’t take the SAT four times. Do you think the number of times the SAT is taken, in the context of which high school it happens at, will make a difference?</p>
<p>Can’t tell whether this is sarcasm or not but that’s not exactly what I was trying to say. I was trying to say it is possible other school top schools, possibly including Ivys, might frown upon more than 2 scores let alone 3. You should research the schools websites.</p>
<p>And like I said, it’s more important for you to refine the rest of your application than bump up your SAT score a fourth time. If you look on the school threads here, especially the Stanford one, you will see that many people with 2300+ on their SAT got rejected. It’s not the most important part. Spend the time you would studying on the SAT and taking it on doing some really good community service, improving your essay, taking a summer class at a local community college or something else. The SAT is only one facet of the application process that you are just hung up on.</p>
<p>@jasonleb1: No, it was not sarcasm at all. I really enjoyed the second piece of advice you gave. I think I’ll do just that, especially the focusing on the essay part.</p>
<p>I guess the fact that I have a 750 when I really should have an 800 just annoyed/frustrated me a lot. Oh well; I’ll get over it. lol.</p>
<p>Thanks all, but I believe this case is closed!</p>