<p>I have recently been contemplating retaking the SAT test. I am going to be a freshman at UMASS Amherst this fall but already plan on transferring. I am in the honors program and am taking the maximum courseload with almost all honors courses ( 7 courses, 4 of which are honors). I want nothing more than to be able to transfer to a top school and I have fallen in love with Duke and Upenn. I currently have a 1390 SAT score on the old test. I know I can achieve a 4.0 because I am willing to work that hard but I wasn't sure about my test score. I know its a little on the lower side for those schools, but I heard it wasn't that important in the transfer process. Also, I am going to be immersed in academic and extracurricular work this first semester so preparing for the test would add to the already heavy load, not to mention preparing for the new test that i am not familiar with. However, I am more than willing to do it if it is going to make a difference in my application. I basically would like to know if retaking the SAT would be worth it for me in striving for my goal for admission to Duke or Upenn.</p>
<p>ok. it comes down to this, obviously. you either want to get in, or you're trying to find a way to skirt the work. intuitively, a higher SAT score will give you better admissions chances. if you've taken such a rigorous courseload, i see no reason why you wouldnt retake it, since it should be simple elementary math and verbal analysis. i know other people might tell you oh it doesnt matter etc, but go with the obvious question first (my first sentence) then worry about extraneous things. and keep asking yourself that same question. the path you need is right in front of your face.</p>
<p>if it helps, i transferred to penn w/ a 1380 sat</p>
<p>Well, the SAT is an estimator of your first year of college performance, and unless your SAT is abysmal, which it is definitely not, your first year grades and essay can get you in almost anywhere. This is what people tell me, and I am going to try this next for 2006-2007 as a sophomore.</p>
<p>i like the thrills, if you are willing, could you give me some more information about yourself and your transfer process? basic stats, what school you transferred from, extracurriculars, and what you thought made you a successful transfer student? thanks a lot, i would really appreciate it.</p>