Why is this stupid?

Applying to College
1

<p>Since almost all top tier schools superscore, I'm thinking I should take the Sat 3 times. On the first one; I only study Math and get a 800 on that, on the second I only study CR and get a 800 on that, and on the third, I only study Writing and try to get a 800 on that.</p>

<p>I know I am capable of getting these scores and I it would be a lot easier for me to do. </p>

<p>So why is this idea stupid? And I'm asking this because I don't think that many people decide to do this even though they most likely have thought of it since it is quite a simple plan.</p>

<p>Thanks.</p>

2

<p>Frankly, it is a waste of money to take it 3 times and only focusing on one section. And to sit there for 3 hours or so to focus on ONE section and flunking the others? It’s not worth it. Why not take a month or two to study for all 3 sections and get 800 on all of them? Take practice tests to study, until you get your desired score of 2400.</p>

<p>It’s not stupid, just a waste of money (in my opinion) and time.</p>

3

<p>Ok here is a hypothetical situation, which applicant would colleges rather have if based off Sat scores alone? Can you rank them 1 being the best, 2 being 2nd best and 3 being last.</p>

<p>1st applicant- single sitting, took the Sat once and scored a 2350</p>

<p>2nd applicant- took the sat 3 times and scored a 2400 combined using superscore</p>

<p>3rd applicant- took the sat 3 times and scored a 2370, 3rd time, single sitting, no superscore</p>

4

<p>If you think you’ll do better that way, go ahead.</p>

<p>Columbia, Cornell, Georgetown, Stanford, UC Berkeley, UCLA, University of Pennsylvania, and Yale require all scores.</p>

<p>And other schools will take your highest “single sitting”, such as University of Michigan and Johns Hopkins.</p>

<p><a href=“http://professionals.collegeboard.com/profdownload/sat-score-use-practices-list.pdf[/url]”>http://professionals.collegeboard.com/profdownload/sat-score-use-practices-list.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

5

<p>^ Rain202, even thought they require all scores, do they not superscore and only take that into account?</p>

6

<p>“All SAT® Scores Required for Review <university x=”“> has indicated that it considers all SAT scores in its review process and requires that you submit all SAT scores from all test dates.”</university></p>

<p>Since it states that all SAT scores will be considered in its review process, I’m assuming it means it will not super-score.</p>

7

<p>^ Ok, thanks Rain202! ;]</p>

8

<p>For example, Y:</p>

<p>[No</a> choice on scores | Yale Daily News](<a href=“http://www.yaledailynews.com/news/2009/jan/16/no-choice-on-scores/]No”>http://www.yaledailynews.com/news/2009/jan/16/no-choice-on-scores/)</p>

<p>

</p>

9

<p>Colleges still see your full scores. It won’t look impressive if they see 800, 400, and 500 or something like that. You need to be able to study for all three and be okay.</p>

10

<p>A couple other reasons:</p>

<ul>
<li><p>You can’t take the SAT and the SAT subject tests on the same day. So if you also have to take subject tests, and decide you want to take one or more of those a 2nd time (or spread out when you take them to spread your studying out), you are really taking a long time/a lot of Saturdays to get all your SATs taken.</p></li>
<li><p>If you have any extracurriculars at any time of year that have Saturday commitments, that could cause an issue when you are blocking off so many Saturdays for SATs (also, you might want to take the ACT).</p></li>
</ul>

11

<p>I’ve heard admissions officers say to roomfuls of prospective applicants that yes, they superscore, but if they see scores like 780,500,550 on one date and 480,770,600 on another, they get a bit suspicious.</p>