<p>My son's biggest strength is probably his test scores. He has very good (not stellar) grades and quite a few (but not an incredible amount) of ECs. But his test scores are excellent:</p>
<p>SAT R: 800
SAT M: 760
SAT W: 780</p>
<p>ACT Composite: 35 (sections were 34, 35, 35, 36...as a Sophomore)</p>
<p>PSAT: 237</p>
<p>I see most people's test scores, and they are usually clearly stronger in one area than the others. Usually it's either high verbal and lower math/science, or vice-versa.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, schools only seem to publish the middle 50% range for each test section of the SAT, not for the overall score, so I haven't been able to tell if it's very unusual for my son to have high scores in all sections.</p>
<p>It’s not unusual at all. His scores show that he has a very strong grasp of both mathematics and the English language. A lot of people on CC do have more skewed test scores (mostly toward math), but that’s really not a good thing. Especially when you’re approaching 800 in each section, having all three of them high doesn’t mean that a person is passionless or aimless or anything negative like that. A broad range of EC’s might give that impression, but test scores definitely not. The only forseeable problem would be if he’s going for some kind of Math or Engineering, in which case the 760M may come into play (assuming we’re talking about MIT or Princeton).</p>
<p>Ah, yes, I have noticed that his scores are skewed in the wrong direction for MIT and Caltech, which is unfortunate because he wants to major in science or engineering. (Seeing the average test scores for those schools is incredibly intimidating. The middle 50% for SAT Math goes all the way to 800. Yikes!) But I’m sure it will be okay anyway.</p>
<p>In light of the recent ambiguity in the admissions process, I have come to realise something about MIT: They are trying to accept more of the “exceptionally good at math/science, but even better at English and arts” type of student. I guess they’re trying to diversify their student body. I think that, given he shows adequate interest in math and science through his esssays and ECs, your son may have a pretty decent shot at getting a spot at MIT. Good luck.</p>