Hi,
In my first attempt, I got 1930 (580 CR, 710 M, 640 W)
second attempt, 2150 (700 CR, 780 M, 670 W)
I’m also yet to take math II and physics subject test.
my reasoning SAT score is really bugging me because it seems in incongruous with my grades/GPA (I do IB, I’m getting 7’s in physics HL, computer Science HL, Spanish B Sl, Chemistry SL and at least 6’s in English A SL , Math HL: So at least 40/42 which I think is decent considering my subject combination)
I’m a girl, an overseas US citizen who’s considering applying to the US for electrical engineering/ computer science in UCLA/ carnegie mellon/ georgia tech etc.
Fundamentally, my concern is this- Will my SAT score undermine my application? how crucial is a retake?
I’d recommend retaking it if you think you can get higher, but honestly it isn’t THAT big of a deal. Sure, it’s big for a test, but not the end of the world. One question, how do you know you’re getting 7’s in HL classes if the results aren’t in yet? My understanding of IB is the HL tests are only taken senior year. Otherwise, I think you have a solid shot at those schools if you have decent EC’s.
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Conventional wisdom used to be that getting a 2100 composite or 32 ACT was some kind of “sufficient to get in anywhere” number. In some circles, that (uninformed) conventional wisdom has crept up to 2250 or 34 ACT.
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Many schools apparently use only M+CR scores (thus the redesign of the SAT next year). You scored very well in M+CR.
Therefore, your scores seem sufficient. You may wish to take the ACT “just to see.” You have really improved in your CR. If you feel like you have room to improve further, it would not hurt to retake the SAT. However, it seems sufficiently high as it stands.
IB schools give predicted grades for each subject (whether HL or SL) by October/November of senior year. We apply to universities with these predicted grades, which in turn are calculated on the basis of several tests and internal assignments throughout junior year and the beginning of senior. A 7 is roughly equal to an A, and a 6 to an A- or so.
Does that answer your question?
My EC’s are crap (with the exception of artsy community service, art portfolio etc) 
. Its IB- Aint nobody got time for that LOL
If you can score a 770+ on both test physics and math subject test, you will have a great chance to get in. UCLA looks M, CR, and W. The subject test will be a great weight on your app if you do well on the subject tests. If you are looking for IVY’s, then definitely retake the test. Can you afford those schools?
That is what I thought about IB. I’d be cautious with expectations because depending on your school, predicted scores can have less weight. You seem pretty smart, so I’d give the SAT another shot and focus on reading. Plus, with a 780, you have a good shot at an 800 next time.
Female Electrical Engineering is considered URM. If your parents are active duty military (or otherwise CA residents), your scores are sufficient for UCLA, and probably if you are considered out-of-state, as well. Peruse the Common Data Set (use these as key words in an alternate search + school name) for each school to get a feel for where you stand among admitted applicants from previous years. You want to be at the 50th percentile or better.
@ItsJustSchool seriously? I’m URM ?? that’s awesome, sounds like it works in my favor ^^ thanks 
yeah apparently I’m above 50th percentile, but I heard that Engineering at UCLA was hard to get into, hence this post.
@Jr12317 I’m sure I can do well in Maths and physics, as they are my forte. I’m also sure I can afford these schools, because after spending year at said college, I become in state and my tuition fee drops.
You said I should retake If applying to top-notch schools like the Ivies… so should I retake for Berkeley and Upenn ?(these are my main reaches, I don’t think I’m even going to consider applying to Stanford, caltech, MIT etc)
Yeah, for UPenn, you will need to take the test again to get 2250+.
This decidedly is NOT true in California (e.g. Cal, UCLA). You have been misinformed.
Engineering at UCLA and Cal is impacted. More so for men than for women.
You need to see if you qualify for in state tuition. Have you seen all the requirements?