My SAT Result, and your opinion!

rapidez · 03-31-2012, 11:01 PM

Hello all, my first time posting in the forum.

Disclaimer: I do not want any roast-session for the situation I'm going to describe, I know my score is very good. From what I've seen on the forums, any mention of doubt about a good score can get attacked. I am genuinely curious as to what the knowledgeable members here have to say about my question.

Sorry about that, now for the situation!

So, I recently got (after taking the SAT for the first time) a 2380. I received a 800 CR, Writing (10 Essay), and a 780 Math.

I am very happy with my results, that is until I went reading around that every point matters. Contrast this with people saying colleges don't like to see grade grubbers attempting to get a perfect score.

I am almost 100% sure I will not be taking the SAT again, and I have read threads similar to this before, but are those 20 points really even considered by colleges? I have my eyes on Yale, which I would love to attend because I feel they let your passions flourish the most (and I have a very specific and unique field of knowledge I'd like to explore). Yale has tons of students who get 2380s, so I'm wondering, is there any definitive evidence that the 20 points make a difference?

I realize how lucky I am to have received the score, and I worked very hard for it, doing 3 sections a night for about 2 months, and a full practice test nearly every weekend. For those of you who are happy with your scores, congratulations--it's such a nice burden to have lifted, and for those of you who are unhappy, remember you can retake and try to keep it in perspective; if you don't you can end up like me, worrying about a 2380. I am particularly (overly)nervous because I got a 1580 on the SAT 1600 (wish the 780 was in writing).

Nice to talk to you guys on the forum

R.

marvin100 · 03-31-2012, 11:22 PM

Do NOT take it again. Your scores are as high as they can be, and 2400 has no extra weight (despite CCers writing to the contrary). I know this from experience (have taught many, many 2400 kids and have seen them lose out to 2300s kids time and time again because those 2300s kids spent their summers doing awesome stuff). Moral of the story? You're qualified; now do awesome stuff.

Congrats, btw, on a job well done.

rapidez · 03-31-2012, 11:26 PM

Thanks Marvin! This summer I have a really great immersion program in Europe planned

Thank you for the kind response and some perspective. It's hard to not get caught up in it all

Lagging · 03-31-2012, 11:44 PM

I agree with Marvin. Your score's good and your time would be better spent doing something else besides studying for a few more points.

FastNeutrino · 04-01-2012, 12:23 AM

At that point, getting a 2400 is complete chance. I'd bet that there's a high chance you'd get a lower score, honestly. Besides, a 2380 isn't exactly a score that will keep you out of schools.

You have no reason to retake. Enjoy your success!

marvin100 · 04-01-2012, 12:32 AM

Have an awesome summer and keep a journal (helpful when it's time to write those app essays...)!

pwcpeng · 04-01-2012, 01:05 AM

Nope, 20 points matters nada. The people who say it does are giving an argument that will never happen in real life. That argument says imagine candidate A and candidate B who are identical in every aspect except one got a 2380 and one got a 2400. There is only one space left at this college, so they are going to take candidate B.

Problem is, there will NEVER be any two candidates that are identical in all regards except for one variable. There will never even be any two candidates who are considered the same (except for one variable). One candidate will always be favored over another candidate.

If candidate B had gotten a 2380 too, the college admissions opinion would still be the same for B. Either they like him more than A or they like A more.

Also keep in mind that not only do you risk getting a lower score, you are demonstrating that you are a point monger, which will reflect poorly on the type of person you are. Colleges don't want someone who cares about the points more than things that actually matter: your actual knowledge, your personality, your extracurriculars, your essays, etc.

Tristesse · 04-01-2012, 04:42 AM

Congratulations, rapidez! As the others have said, 2380 is a great score and you needn't retake the SAT. In fact, your score will make you competitive enough for every college and/or university you apply to. :-) So don't worry about standardized tests anymore (excluding subject tests, mind you!) and go out there and have some fun!

lldm21 · 04-01-2012, 01:23 PM

My opinion: You have one less thing to worry about.

NYgirl96 · 04-01-2012, 07:23 PM

Your score is really really incredible. That is 1-2 questions if I had to guess. Let it be. Admissions officers know that too.

dblazer · 04-01-2012, 08:07 PM

Several points: It's not worth the effort if you are going to take up your time doing more prep -- especially if you know you have a better way to spend your time. Getting the 20 points more would never be the reason for acceptance. If you can spend the extra time not studying doing something else more productive or getting better grades, this would be much more important to focus on. Now my previous lines are written with the assumption that you would get a 2400 if you took it again. The reason that you didn't get a 2400 this time wasn't because you weren't prepared. It most likely because of chance, one silly mistake, one problem that you never saw before etc. Chances are, if you take it again, the same type of mistake that kept you away from a 2400 this time could keep you away from a 2400 next time which would make all the time and money a waste.

Republicratic · 04-01-2012, 08:59 PM

Honestly, do not exert yourself by taking it again. The difference between your score and a 2400 was only around two questions. What's to say that you would do any better the next time? It really is all left up to luck at that point. You are obviously intelligent, and even any half-asleep, incompetent admissions officer would be able to realize that. CONGRATULATIONS on your score!

rapidez · 04-09-2012, 08:35 PM

Thanks everyone for you responses! A couple of notes:

1. I didn't think about the fact I would most probably get lower scores... that right there eliminates any thought of me taking it.

2. I don't want to be a grade grubber, I just want to have a good chance at Yale, where the 75th percentile for each section is around 780-800. I am below the 75th percentile in math (790 or 800, I forget) which concerned me a little. I also had read how much each point closer to perfect matters.

Thanks for all your support, and I have decided NOT to take the exam again. If I don't get in (which there is a very good chance I won't) I'm sure I'll blame it on the SATs :P but I realize that won't really be why. I just want to distinguish myself

Publicforum2012 · 04-09-2012, 08:54 PM

I missed two questions, got a 2350. You missed one, got a 2380. My friend missed none, got a 2400. Is there a difference in where we are accepted because of 1 or 2 out of 170 questions and a subjectively-graded essay? No. Don't worry yourself about percentiles (remember that your 2380 is well above the overall 75th, even if math isn't). I applaud you for not grasping for that last 20 points.

fatherofm · 04-11-2012, 06:11 PM

you said "yale has ton of kids with 2380", I would like to know from where? You look at college board stats there are only 1,000 kids who got 2380 or more. Considering there are other equally competetive Ivys looking for these kids, I don't think there are that many kids with 2380. I agree there could be "superscores" and also ACT 35s and 36s. Combined you are looking at a pool of 2000 kids you will be competing against. Obviously, that is not the whole story. Your GPA, Ecs , Recs and essays are equally important. ED is your weapon and use it judiciously. Take advantage of EA schools. Don't forget your state flagship school. You may get excellent merit scholarships. Finally, don't forget your safeties. GOOD LUCK.