Would you retake the SAT with a 2330?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Harvard University
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<p>Hi, everyone. I'm currently a junior interested in top schools. I'm ranked 1 at my school right now (in a very wealthy, East-coast, suburban district) and am devoted to a lot of ECs. I took the SAT for the first time (not counting 7th grade CTY) in November without studying at all and got 800 math, 780 writing, 750 reading for a 2330 combined. The problem is, back in 7th grade, my score was a 760 verbal and 660 math for a 1420 combined; so I definitely think I can do better. </p>

<p>I've heard that SAT score really isn't that important for top colleges like Harvard, and I try to spend much more time working on my EC interests, like Varsity Debate, Swimming, etc.
My question - would you retake the SAT if you were in my position?</p>

2

<p>You are crazy for even asking such a question.</p>

3

<p>hilsa - So is that a no?</p>

4

<p>Yes. You're fine. =]</p>

5

<p>Don't be stupid...those are good SATs, and the CTY SAT scores are pretty good as well. I got the same math but a much lower verbal.</p>

6

<p>NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It is a waste of time to retake them, and Harvard would think the same thing.</p>

7

<p>Nah, just let it go at this point.</p>

8

<p>its good enough my friend.</p>

9

<p>Absolutely not. Tons of studies show that it's not worth vying for those extra 70 points. 2330 is a perfectly acceptable score for a Harvard applicant.</p>

10

<p>Of course man, if you get 2400 wow.. Harvard gonna go this kid is going to be admitted for sure .....</p>

<p>Do not retake it</p>

11

<p>After you reach a certain threshold, your scores don't matter much. Leave it alone.</p>

12

<p>good job. don't retake it-but you might want a dose of modesty.</p>

13

<p>Ok. You definitely shouldn't retake it. But since you can use score choice in the future, people will probably have higher SATs reported because they can take the exam as many times as they want without penalty of colleges knowing they took the test many times. Just do what you want. If you are willing to spend a Saturday morning on it, then I'd say take it (but definitely don't waste time or money preparing).</p>

14

<p>Should you retake or not? Detailed analysis:</p>

<p>Pro's:
-It's fun to study for the SAT's
-There is probably nothing better to do for 4 hours on a Saturday
-Harvard will automatically accept you if you get above a 2350
-You are guaranteed a score increase if you retake
-There is nothing better to spend the $40 it costs to register on</p>

<p>Con's
-Your friends might make fun of you if you get less than 2400</p>

15

<p>^ sarcastic pro's, much?</p>

16

<p>I got 2200 on the first try and people said I shouldn't retake.
I did anyway because I KNOW i could do much better than that and got 2330. Yes people were in awe but believe me, my friend, the thought of retaking did cross my mind :D Mostly because I got 780 for Maths and I know i could get an 800 (i finished and triple-checked in about half the allocated time and spent the rest counting the number of white hair on this guy's head). And I kinda think i could get >750 for CR. If i didn't get in EA at Yale i would have retaken, since school finishes in Nov last year and i have quite a lot of free time. After EA my motivation just vanished. </p>

<p>So bottom line is, retake if you strongly believe that you can get higher (i'm a harsh critic of myself so when i know something it's probably right). Don't if, at the bottom of your heart, you know that the only reason you got 2330 was because you were extremely lucky that day. Prepping for the SAT is not that arduous and 4 hours on a saturday is not that big a sacrifice if you can boost your candidacy to a top school. Who cares if the rest of the school thinks you're an obnoxious prick who retakes a 2330 when others struggle to reach 2100? Different strokes for different folks.</p>

17

<p>A 2330 is great, but if you think you can do better then why not go for it?</p>

18

<p>Not to be rude, but are you crazy! How does anyone think of retaking a 2330? I just don't get CCers. Once your above that average threshold of like 2200 (as you clearly are), i do not think they care too much. In fact, they might be discouraged from a 2400 because they might think your a score freak Don't waste your time and money on another SAT. Go concentrate on your ECs and maintain your GPA. I get where you are coming from though. You want to increase whatever chances you have of getting in, right? Relax, dont become a grade/score/EC freak because they can tell if your truly motivated or your just obsessed. Good Luck and congrats on your SAT and class rank, both put you academically ahead of the pack;</p>

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<p>The things the people on this site say...</p>

<p>(with that said, I wouldn't retake if I were in your position, unless you were sure you could pull off a 2400)</p>

20

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<p>So much of this is baseless speculation. I don't care what people say, there is a difference between a 2200 and a 2350/2400. There's a thread in the Princeton forum that correlates SAT score ranges and percentage acceptance, and the difference between the two aforementioned groups is about 10 percentage point. Clearly, adcom does care. It's people who don't matter in the admission process that say otherwise. </p>

<p>The OP has only taken the SAT once and got 2330. If he's taking it a 2nd time how can you say its score obsession? Most of the people who got accepted (see all the decision threads) take more than once. If it's his fourth time then it's another story. And please, nobody is "discouraged" from a perfect score. </p>

<p>Yes trying to raise your score is about increasing your chance, but it's also about proving to yourself that you know you can do better.</p>

<p>OP, I think you're smart enough to decide for yourself. Remember that a good number of people on this site are your direct competitors next year and naturally wouldn't want to see you having a better chance at getting admitted than you already do.</p>