Chemistry/Math2c SATII

geek_mom
Thu, 25 Jun 2009 20:35:21 +0000

Most colleges, including MIT, would tell you that there’s no real statistical difference between a 790 and an 800 (MIT admissions officers have been quoted saying there’s no real statistical difference between a 750 and an 800). If you were to retake the Math II, they might justifiably question whether your perfectionism is destructively obsessive or whether you really just have no life. Be happy.

As to the 740, it’s in the ballpark too. If you have nothing better to do on a Saturday, you might be happier with a retake – but bear in mind, your score is just as likely to go down on a retake.

There are probably better ways to strengthen your application. A meaningful science project, or tutoring inner-city kids in math, or doing some Web programming for a local nonprofit… something productive like that would make you stand out more than a handful of extra points on an SAT subject test.

Good luck, and don’t take CC too seriously (especially the “chance me” threads).