The 2300 Threshold

<p>Myriads of people have told me that for HYPSM, it is critical to get over the 2300 SAT bar. Obviously, this doesn't guarantee admittance, but it will put one in a qualified position. However, to be well or very well qualified, does one need a 2400 or close? This is if they have no hooks, and no outstanding other aspects.
I am asking because after taking the SAT twice, I can not for the life of me get higher than a 700 on the CR though I have gotten 800 on math and writing (superscore).
Will a 2300 put me at a disadvantage? This is regardless of all other facets of the application. I am a Chinese female, and people have told me that Asians are expected to get near 2400s.
Basically, is there a big enough difference between a 2300 and 2400?
Thank you all very much!! (:</p>

<p>Please take this correctly and understand this is in your best interest - you need to get a life other than focusing on testing. </p>

<p>The highest score in the world would not get you if the colleges notice you are just a test taker. 2300 with 700 on CR is fine for any school - it is 1500 CR + M. Go out and have fun with your friends and stop stressing on the test. </p>

<p>Also, when people speak, please do your research. The average SAT at HPYSM tops somewhere around 2240 - 2250. That means there are tons 2200s. You are fine. </p>

<p>^^^
Yes, but the average at top schools FOR ASIANS is actually 2300+</p>

<p>But with a 2300 you should be fine. Don’t go taking the test a million times just because you want to score nearer and nearer to 2400. Focus on other aspects of your app.</p>

<p>@satman1111 Thanks for catching that. My bad, but I just do not look at people that way (segregated by performance in racial groups) that I did not even think about it. I know it exists re college applications, but I feel kind of good that it has not perverted me because I read OP was asian and it did not cross my mind. </p>

<p>I do find it laughable that policy makers wonder why colleges are still rather segregated based on racial students groups and they have yet to connect that the admin process makes people segregate before they get there re performance, stats etc. This nonsense has to change. </p>

<p>OP you have reached the well qualified threshold. I really think that it doesn’t look good when students keep retaking very high scores, to schools that have to send all scores at least. Sure it would be nice to have over 700 CR. Still, I would work on other parts of your profile at this stage.</p>

<p>When we took our D on college visits, I got to listen to way too many info sessions. And one of the things they said over and over again is that past 2100, you are looking at the top 1-2% of the country. And the difference between a 720 on crit rdg and a 740 could be a single question. They all said the same thing – they would far more likely to look “questionably” at an applicant who has taken an SAT or ACT 3 or more times than a student who took it only once and got a 2150, for example. Relax. Focus on finding colleges that you think you could be happy at, be involved in things that make you get excited. Have some fun in high school.</p>

<p>A few years ago, there was one CC poster who boasted and bragged about how he attained a 2400SAT on a subsequent attempt after getting a 2390. He had multiple offers from top schools (including my alma mater). He chose another school. Personally, I was glad to hear that… I’m sure there were other positive parts of his personality. This one item sure was noisome, however. Yeeech!</p>