<p>Kind of a broad question, so allow me to elaborate: I know the SAT is a major part of college admissions (in particular to the elite schools), but yet is not necessarily a "clincher." And for schools such as HYP, even a perfect score does not necessitate acceptance (indeed, almost half of the applicants to Harvard with perfect SAT's are denied acceptance). I would like to know the "margin of error" for SAT scores in the eyes of the elite schools (Ivies, UChicago, etc.). For instance does a 2350 give one a better chance at acceptance than a 2380, or are they considered equal? Perhaps it matters on the score or the individual school? I do not know :).</p>
<p>In my opinion, SAT scores don't even matter. HYP seeks students who are unique and have something to offer. In this manner, reccomendations, essays, and ec's are the most important factors in determing a student's admission into an Ivy.</p>
<p>im pretty sure they don't care about the difference between a 2350 and a 2380</p>
<p>Basically your SAT scores help you get your foot in the door, so to speak. After that, it's your recs, essays, ECs, etc. which determine your admissions.</p>
<p>I've heard other posters say for top schools, beyond about 2200, SAT scores become less of a factor, and the subjective aspects come into play.</p>
<p>talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/377882-how-do-top-scorers-tests-fail-gain-admission-top-schools.html</p>
<p>there are certain psychological breaks: 2100+, 2250+; other than that it's on to the other items in the app. So, I would suggest that a 2300 is no better off than a 2250.</p>
<p>Yeah, I read somewhere that for Yale admissions SAT scores are just one of the first things glanced over, to make sure the applicant is academically strong enough - any 2100+ seems okay. Then recommendations, ECs, etc. come into play. They don't use SAT scores to choose between two strong candidates though, so I'd say 2350 and 2380 are the same in terms of the "glance-over".</p>
<p>I'll look around for the article.</p>
<p>
[QUOTE]
Palo Alto, CA: In order of importance, what are the top 3 criteria for undergraduate admission to Yale?
Margit Dahl: Performance in high school courses--i.e., the transcript--is always #1. A student with 1600 (or now, 2400!) SATs who has not done the job in high school will not be a realistic applicant. #2 would be the other measures of academic strength including test scores, academic comments from teachers, etc. Once a student looks realistic academically, all of the personal characteristics come into play--commitment to interests/activities, a sense of passion about things, life experiences, etc.</p>
<p>Boston, MA: The new SATs are causing much confusion. How much emphasis are you placing on them?
Margit Dahl: SATs are one factor among many in the admissions process, but by no means the most important one. As I said in reply to another question, grades are always more important that test scores. SATs don't measure motivation at all, nor do they tell us anything about your peer relationships, your curiosity or love of learning, your sensitivity to others. All of those things are important, but we must look elsewhere to find them.</p>
<p>Philadelphia, PA: Does Yale count only the highest score on each section of the SAT if you took the test more than once, and what if one score is from the old SAT and another score is from the new SAT?
Margit Dahl: Someone reading your file sees all scores sent by the College Board. But the computer program used to print reports for the admissions committee selects, and prints, the highest of any individual test type--SAT verbal, SAT math, subject tests (SAT IIs)--even if they were from different test dates. This year we will print both old and new, highest by each test type.
[/QUOTE]
</p>
<p>Just some perspective. Margit Dahl was Yale's director and acting dean of admissions. This article is from 2005.</p>