I’ve taken the SAT I twice: the first time around, I took it with the essay and got a 1530 and the second time, I took it with no essay and got a 1570. However, if my understanding is correct, because Princeton is an essay-required school, they won’t look at the better score even if I send it alongside the one with an essay. I’ll essentially be going in with a score 40 points lower than what I was actually capable of scoring.
Is it still worth applying to Princeton as my SCEA school? I’m not a particularly spiky applicant in any non-objective areas to begin with, so I think that the score drop may be more detrimental to my chances than it would seem.
@Amduseus your 1530 is good, too bad about not taking the essay, but your score isn’t going to keep you out.
You need stellar grades, hardest course rigor and a unique narrative of what you’d bring to Princeton that other candidates don’t. Tell us more before dismissing your chances for SCEA, which does help (just a little)…
I’m in the same situation with my ACT! I got a 31 with writing, and a 32 without writing. I was recommended by my guidance counselor to just send both scores anyways – it can’t hurt. Maybe they’ll consider the score without writing?
I called admissions and they said I should just send everything in, so I guess everything will work out fine. I’m still a bit worried though, because that kind of contradicts what is said online.