<p>I haven't seen this discussed over the past few months, but I'm sure it's a question that's been raised before, but...</p>
<p>Are the "average SAT" scores that private colleges report in their data the average score of an applicant/admitted student's best combined scores? The UC's only accept students' best one sit score, so when they report their data to US NEWS for rankings, wouldn't this put schools like Berkeley at a disadvantage? Also, wouldn't this also skew the data given by schools that accept best combined scores? How is this factored into by US NEWS and other rankings that rely on formulae? When (UC) Los Angeles releases its statistical profile, does it take into account a student's best combined score (which doesn't make sense, considering the school doesn't even concern itself with that, but then again, it would shiny up those numbers)?</p>
<p>If you worry for Berkeley's final "ranking ... have no fear. </p>
<p>The USNews staff has an real arsenal at its disposal to undo the negative impact of hard data that is not as easily manipulated as the other subjective measurements. In this case, they can rely on a superior peer assessment. </p>
<p>FWIW, a higher SAT would not HELP UCB because of the nifty expected graduation rates used by USNews. Schools with extremely high SAT and high standards are routinely assigned a significant negative score. For instance, a few years ago, Harvey Mudd was given a 97% expected graduation rate and earned a whopping negative 18 points for that subscore -Pomona was given a 99% graduation rates as well. For other schools, fluff classes, abundant pass/fail opportunities, rampant grade inflation ensure higher graduation rates and help bury the impact of lower admission standards. </p>
<p>The more you look at the USNews rankings the easier it is to conclude that it is nothing but a joke. The joke is, however, played on all of us because we cannot stop speaking about the rankings and send our money religiously to their coffers. :)</p>
<p>Just a few more questions- is it safe to assume the scores reported in the viewbooks/admissions offices by schools are based on students' best combined scores? Do UC schools report best combined scores for their profiles, or straight up single sitting scores that they consider?</p>
<p>I know there is an element of East Coast bias on these boards, and one number kids happily and frequently report on is a school's average SAT score... I just need some ammunitition to fire back. =)</p>
<p>Surely it's best of all sittings: most colleges say they go by best scores of however many sittings when considering applicants, say verbal 2d try and math and writing 3d try. I think it's safe to say that they wouldn't hold themselves to a tougher standard when reporting their numbers, since, as with applicants, they want them to be as strong as possible. In USNWR 75th percentile math + 75th English for a given college always equals 75th percentile combined score exactly.</p>