Will a 2280 SAT score get me into top schools?

Test Preparation
1

<p>Hi! So I'm looking to apply to several ivies next year, along with Georgetown and UChicago. I took the SAT 3 times, and ended up with this score:</p>

<p>760 CR
790 M
730 W</p>

<p>I'm really disappointed with my writing score. I know that that scores alone do not get people accepted into schools of such a high caliber, but I'm wondering if a 2280 makes me a competitive applicant for such schools.</p>

2

<p>Here is G’Town’s latest published CDS: <a href=“https://gushare.georgetown.edu/PlanningAndInstitutionalResearch/Public%20-%20Website/CDS_2011-2012.pdf?uniq=-wv5gve”>https://gushare.georgetown.edu/PlanningAndInstitutionalResearch/Public%20-%20Website/CDS_2011-2012.pdf?uniq=-wv5gve&lt;/a&gt; You are above their 75%ile for CR and M
Here is info for U Chicago. <a href=“http://www.collegedata.com/cs/data/college/college_pg02_tmpl.jhtml?schoolId=327”>http://www.collegedata.com/cs/data/college/college_pg02_tmpl.jhtml?schoolId=327&lt;/a&gt; You are above their average. What do you think? Realize that test scores are only a small part of your application that will be assessed.</p>

3

<p>This is a good SAT score for top schools. Remember that colleges tend to “care” more about your CR+M combined score than your writing score, which is phenomenal, so the SAT portion of your resume will be strong (I don’t know what the rest of your resume looks like, and SAT’s alone do not determine it).</p>

4

<p>Georgetown and Ucicago only look at Cr+M so you’re in good shape. That being said it’s all a lottery. My son didn’t get into any Ivy or Uchicago few years ago with a 2290 and a 4.0. Your scores will only get you so far. You really need to be exceptional for these schools. </p>

5

<p>With a hook, yes it will. Most colleges view anything over 2250 the same.</p>

6

<p>Are you seriously complaining about the writing? Your writing score puts you in the 98th percentile. Don’t be a grade grubber. </p>

7

<p>^Feeling a little judgmental today?</p>

8

<p>@AnnieBeats‌ I’m just disappointed because I don’t feel the score represents how much preparation and practicing I put into my grammar and writing. I know it’s a great score but I just wish it was better</p>

9

<p>OP, stop. Relax. You’re fine. Colleges don’t look at SAT scores to how much you have prepped. They don’t care. The exam tests apitude and quick thinking skills. You clearly have that. Now, focus on other aspects of you application. The Ivy League sees every test score. Why risk getting a lower score?</p>

10

<p>The ivies will usually look at your best scores in each category. Check each of your tagets and see what they say. The expectations for your W score depend on your major, but 730 is probably fine. </p>

<p>When you set your sights high, you must understand they will look at your sum-total. We don’t know your major or activities. Nor how well (and on-target) you will present yourself in the app and any supps. Rather than worry about the W score, dig into what those colleges actually say about what they like in applicants, other than stats. Find a sample Common App and the supps, to see what sorts of questions they ask. For a top school, this is more than worrying about the W. Don’t get distracted. </p>

11

LOL Don’t you mean u wish your score WERE better not was better. No wonder u got a 730.

12

Yep, good score. If you don’t get in, it’s extremely unlikely (but not quite impossible) that your SAT scores will be the reason. Well done. Now fill your time with awesome activities and A’s–the stuff that will really get you accepted!

13

To be honest, a 4.0 and even 2300+ guarantee nothing at Ivy’s and top 20 schools.

In your mind, you may think you are competing with only a few thousand kids with top scores and grades like you.

In reality, you are competing with tens of thousands of kids with good grades, good but likely lower scores than you have, and some other hook - athletics, activism, diversity, etc.

It is truly a lottery. The sooner you can reconcile yourself with that, the more realistic your expectations will be.

14

It may seem like a lottery to those whose brains spin with all the apparently incomprehensible permutations.

But, it’s not. Students are really quite unique, particularly at the top levels of selection.

15

Closing year old chances thread.