<p>Everyone on CC seems so obsessed with getting a 2300+. But, after talking with ACTUAL Harvard admissions officers, current Harvard students, parents of two-time Harvard students, I have come to a solid conclusion: it doesn't matter if you have a 2300 or a 2200 when applying to the ivies. In fact, straight from the words of a Harvard student: "a person with a 2200 has just as much of a chance as a person with a 2300." All they look for is to see that you're in the range. If you have a 2400, that's an extra feather in your cap, but besides that, they don't care much. That's why, when looking at the acceptance threads on CC, people with 2360s and not much leadership/very good ECs are rejected while people with 2220s and amazing ECs are accepted. </p>
<p>So, I guess my main question, is why does everyone seem so obsessed with getting a higher score when they're already in the range, which is ALL that matters? People always ask "should I retake a 2340?" when they really don't have to be wondering. It just seems so much more logical to focus on essays, ECs, leadership, and schoolwork more.</p>
<p>A lot of it has to do with race. Asian-Americans are stereotyped as being “intelligent,” so I, along with many of the Asian CC’ers on this forum, believe that we have to get the highest scores we can in order to stand out among the other Asians.</p>
<p>Yup, after a certain score it doesn’t matter. Don’t go crazy over it?</p>
<p>But Yakisoba, wouldn’t it just be better (even for Asians) to stand out in some other way, or to make yourself unique? There’s only so high you can go with test scores, but if you do some amazing extracurricular I think that would look much more impressive to college admissions officers, especially at the higher-level schools</p>
<p>Seriously… Not being racist here. But ivies don’t accept meager 2250 SAT scores from asians. They want 2300+ to just be considered</p>
<p>There is nothing wrong with wanting to get a really high score unless it is compromising other perhaps more important things. But I guess for some people it is not just about being able to get admission but also being able to prove that they are the best. I am kind of agreeing with Yakisoba’s point being an asian myself</p>
<p>Kimmylouie, I don’t know if your statement is accurate. I think one of the reasons why a lot more Asians are admitted with 2300+ scores than Asians who don’t have the higher test scores is because the former group makes up a larger portion of the applicant group, and naturally sees more acceptances.</p>
<p>Asian parents also value education and high test scores AND are very willing to invest in that as a step toward a better education or at least acceptance to a better college. I think they see it as part of their responsibility as a parent in educating their child, not as optional or a luxury as many do in the US. I’ve seen that they are willing to take the portion of whatever college funds set aside for their child beforehand for this prep step.</p>
<p>I lived in Asia for a long time and all of my daughter’s friends were getting tutored or taking classes for the SAT. Yes, we felt the pressure of being competitive within this group, and ended up sending our daughter to these classes as well. It was expensive but they are pretty intense teachers who teach you some valuable test taking skills and definitely keep you accountable.</p>
<p>My daughter got 2280 and I was more than happy with that. I don’t really know what kind of score she would have got without practice and prep though.</p>
<p>I think this mentality and hard work is why Asians have high test scores.</p>
<p>With this score, we started focusing on other things like summer internships and community services, varsity sports, camps, things that would hopefully make her stand out a little than just another Asian female w decent SAT scores.</p>
<p>@kimmylouie: Can’t tell if trolling… or just that stupid</p>