<p>Given that he doesn’t want to study for them, exactly what do you think you are going to be able to do to get him to study? Is this really the battle you want to fight when likely you are also going to have to fight him about getting applications done? </p>
<p>If the Writing was much lower the other time he did the SAT, maybe, even with prep, he will not do much better given that on the ACT his reading/writing was lowest…too.</p>
<p>If he was my kid, I wouldn’t recommend he take the SAT again. I’d just send all the scores. My kid had one sub-700 score (also a 690), he got into his #1 choice (Amherst) early decision, so who knows how he would have done in the regular decision rounds… but seriously, even if your son took the test again and got that CR above 700, he may not have any better results from it in admissions. In fact he may do worse on the next try at the test… it happens!</p>
<p>Like rodney says, better to move on and focus on other aspects of his application.</p>
<p>All really good points. Thank you so much!</p>
<p>Agree with the above posters no to retake.</p>
<p>Son also had a 690v and a 780m, he was in at MIT EA, CalTech, P’ton, Wlisted harvard and then in, Dartmouth, Cornell, Penn’s M&T, Chicago, Swat, Amherst, Duke…</p>
<p>His roomate at p’ton had a perfect SAT score 1st try as a freshman, he was legacy at MIT(dad was a prof) and was rejected, also true at Chicago and Yale so the scores are the scores.</p>
<p>They make up 1 piece of who your son is. He will need his subject tests so that will round out the testing. His ACT score is great as are his SATs. The scores get your foot in the door. For them to want him he needs to show them how he will be an integral part of his new college community.</p>
<p>What will he bring to the table? Yes, he is capable of doing the academic work. All who are admitted can do the work, but how will he change and grow at said school and what can he offer in return?</p>
<p>That is where the essays, the letters of rec and his ECs all stand out to say who he is and where he wants to go. He wants to find the school that will push him out of his comfort zone and one where he will want to study, not because its work and required but because it is THAT interesting and he just can’t get enough.</p>
<p>Son choose p’ton because he didn’t have to pick a major right away. And he could take what its heart desired…at least 1 semester at a time. He was a STEM guy but loved history, languages, and ended up as calculus based econ major with a helenic studies certificate (greek studies). And he loved all 4 years…has been back to visit 4 times. He graduated 2010, and spent the next year getting 2 more degrees at another university in biochemistry and microbiology with a genetics minor. P’ton does not offer those majors.</p>
<p>He started med school 2 weeks ago, with a tuition scholarship.</p>
<p>So again the scores are just a piece of the puzzle.</p>
<p>Kat</p>
<p>You can get into top schools with a 690 on CR (we have personal experience in this in our family). I would send every test he has done. The whole is greater than the sum of its parts. He’s done great, and I think it’s great that he didn’t study, honestly.</p>
<p>Harvard, for one, makes a point of saying they don’t expect equal abilities in all areas. I remember admissions’ site saying "it’s no accident that our office is right next to Howard Gardner’s (multiple intelligences). </p>
<p>As for retake, I would say that is up to the kid. His scores are more than fine. Does he hate tests? Hate test prep? Busy with more worthwhile things than test-taking? Stressed?</p>
<p>It can be a great stress-reliever to have all those tests done before senior year. It would be wonderful if he could enjoy his last year of high school.</p>
<p>But if he himself is asking to retake, and, say, he really likes taking tests, then by all means.
Adults have different opinions, but the important one is his own opinion.</p>
<p>I know a family with a son who got 800, 800, 790 and they are making him take the test again for a perfect 800 in all 3. He did NOT get into Harvard. There is a lot of craziness out there.</p>
<p>There are tons of great schools out there anyway, but your son’s scores are very impressive and not a deal breaker. (Who would want to go to a school where one 690 made any difference? Not that there is such a school, but hypothetically…)</p>
<p>I want to add that, despite the fact that so many CC kids are at work on essays and all, it’s still early in the game. Many kids don’t get revved up until school starts.</p>
<p>Add me to the chorus of no retakes. Three times is one too many, ESPECIALLY for a kid who will not do prep. (Mine was the same, BTW.) I’d say send the ACT and the SATIIs if you can. If not, don’t worry about it. Concentrate on helping him to polish the rest of his application.</p>
<p>Thank you again for your reassurance. I agree that if he doesn’t step up and show an interest in studying, then taking them again would be pointless. It’s helpful to hear of other situations where students have gotten into competitive colleges with similar scores. Very much appreciated.</p>
<p>Now on to the essays… Yikes!</p>
<p>ACT - send it. I don’t think his SAT will hold him back, so you might send both. You’ve got to send that ACT, though.</p>
<p>Send in all the scores and forget a retake.</p>