<p>I'm probably going to get a lot of hate for this, but I just have to ask, since my parents and I are conflicting over it. I'm a junior and took the SAT for the first time in November. My score breakdown: 750CR 800M 760W 8E = 2310. Should I retake it to get my essay score up, or should I leave it be? Most people are telling me I shouldn't retake, except my mom, who thinks I'll be going to go to a state college b/c of 90 points. I'm aiming for HYPSMC (minus Yale; MIT's my top choice) and probably won't be taking the ACT. Advice would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance!</p>
<p>Bump… please?</p>
<p>From what I take away from the rest of forums, if your SAT score is 2300+, then it’s good, but if you to compete for HYPSMC, then you’ll need more than just the SAT score. You’ll need unique extracurriculars, great SAT II scores, good letters of recommendation and a hook could help.</p>
<p>Look at the results pages at each of those schools on cc. You will see that there are many students with above 2310 who were accepted, many students with above 2310 who were rejected, many students with below 2310 who were accepted, many students with below 2310 who were rejected. You have shown that you have the academic chops, but what else can you bring to the table? That is what it will come down to.</p>
<p>Thanks for the advice, guys. You’re right - it’s probably not worth retaking. I think I’ll spend my time doing something more productive instead, even though my parents will be worried…</p>
<p>@elf4EVA
Congrats on your SAT score! Superb for a junior, and gives you a good shot of getting into Ivies. That being said, as posters above have said, it is extremely hard to get into these schools and every little bit helps. I would recommend that if you took this first SAT with little/no prep, and you feel you could do better, then take it again. Not saying you won’t get in with your score now, but your chances can only increase by taking it again since I assume most of those schools superstore.</p>
<p>If you are confident you can do better, then retake it again. 2310 is more than good enough for ivies… Might as well spend the time doing something productive to round up your portfolio nicely :)</p>
<p>Thank you for your advice everyone. I’m not sure if I can do better on the second try (English isn’t exactly my strong suit), and I’m not willing to put in even more time studying, so I think I’ll leave it be and beef up my application in other ways. Thanks again!</p>
<p>No I think you’re fine. Don’t take it again. Spend your time making a rocket or catching up on Legend of Korra or something.</p>
<p>leave it be, and work on other parts of your app like ec’s</p>