The dreaded 2400

<p>Even though this score is the goal of many students while approaching the SAT, it often not accomplished. According to statistics only around 100 people received on the first administering of the test.</p>

<p>I also know from previously taking the SaT that a 2400 depends largely on luck. you know when you narrow down the answer to two on a supposedly ambiguous CR or W question. It is usually that one or two questions that separates a 2350 from a 2400. </p>

<p>The question I have is whether a 2400 has any impact whatsoever on admissions officers rather than a "wow this guy is good at standardizing testing." extracirriculars aside- no extraordinary activities like starting up the red cross- how far would a 2400 raise your application status compared to a great extracirricular background?</p>

<p>This comes from the Yale information booklet I recieved:</p>

<p>High standardized test scores are an excellent addition to a strong application, but they do not replace academic and extracirricular performance. </p>

<p>That being said, there's what they say, and then there's what they say. I like to think of standardized test scores as what gets you in the door, then the application does the rest. You can gain acceptance to top schools without a 2400 and great grades/ECs, but you can't gain acceptance with lousy grades/ECs and great scores. Colleges don't want test takers. They want smart well rounded individuals that contribute to the campus diversity and environment. I wouldn't be concerned with getting perfect scores, I would focus on grades and your activities. I know many people that have had 1550+ (old) and 2350+ (new) that got rejected from their top schools. Don't sweat the numbers, just hit the books.</p>

<p>Agreed. A 2400 won't raise many eyebrows, but it will still prove beyond a doubt that you are a good test taker. Halopeno is right; at a school like, say any of the Ivies, a score of ~2200 is good enough to get your foot in the door. A higher score will do little for you; from there it's up to your grades, ECs, and recs to actually get you in. As the adage goes, standardized test scores can keep you out, but they can't get you in.</p>

<p>yale throws anyway hundreds of perfect scores every year</p>

<p>Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't complain if I had a 2400, just for the record</p>

<p>why is it the "dreaded" 2400? no one i know dreads perfect scores</p>

<p>The thread maker didn't get an 800 on the english or writing portion I bet.</p>

<p>:-p I'm just kiddin' with ya.</p>

<p>I got a 2500, but then they re scored and found out that I had actually taken the test twice, I got a 1200 and a 1300. Oh well, Community College it is. I no longer have a need for this site. See ya</p>

<p>Last year Stanford rejected 65% of the 2400 SAT+4.0 GPA applicants, so obviously perfect numbers aren't everything.</p>

<p>LazyAsian, where did you get that statistic? (I believe you, I'm just curious about where you found that number)</p>

<p>LazyAsian, I heard two-thirds. They tell you at the info sessions. Still, 35% is a lot higher than the general 11%. So in truth, you're better off as a 2400er.. lol..</p>

<p>julyinoh,</p>

<p>two thirds = 66%
65% is pretty much the same as 66%</p>

<p>Got the statistic from here: <a href="http://www.paloaltoonline.com/weekly/story.php?story_id=1568%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.paloaltoonline.com/weekly/story.php?story_id=1568&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>And yeah, 35% is still a lot better than 11%. But a lot of those perfect score kids probably had amazing ECs too; they probably didn't get in just because they had a perfect SAT and GPA. Just look at the crazy ECs of the kids on the USATODAY</a> all-stars list who had a 4.0 GPA and 1600 SAT.</p>

<p>I know jimbob I just felt like being annoying =)</p>

<p>I think the point is that a 2400 doesn't guarantee you admission, which many uninformed parents/teachers seem to always think.</p>

<p>that all stars list is crazy... but lol almost everything there is basically revolving around 3 categories.</p>

<ol>
<li>Music Talent at National Level</li>
<li>Excessive Community Service</li>
<li>Math and Science Competitions</li>
</ol>

<p>^what about athletics?</p>

<p>athletics is just like a nice addition, but i did not see any of them competing at national level. Usually athletics are used to join a prestigious university based on athletioc skill alone. Not many nationally known college players who have a 4.0 gpa and a perfect score on SAT. Just look at Reggie Bush.</p>

<p>I'm going to try and pull off the academic + athletics combo. I have a pretty good GPA, and track is the only thing that can give me that extra push. I could possibly make state this year, so who knows.</p>

<p>EDIT!</p>

<p>lol major typos..</p>

<p>Brett Harrison, 18, Half Hollow Hills High West, Dix Hills, N.Y.
College: Harvard
GPA: 98.98</p>

<p>Aliza Malz, 18, Hunter College High, New York
College: Caltech
GPA: 96</p>

<p>Ilana Yurkiewicz, 17, Lawrence High, Cedarhurst, N.Y.
College: Yale
GPA: 99.77</p>

<p>I think a two or three sport athlete with great stats is a very competitive candidate for admission. This is a lot rarer than kids who have been palying violin for 15 years and do science fair.</p>

<p>hmm but all of those people there have won the intel science fair which is pretty rare. lol</p>