Data regarding perfect ACT/SAT scorers?

gibby
Mon, 15 Apr 2013 13:29:30 +0000

You can find anecdotal evidence on CC and elsewhere, but there isn’t any published data that I’m aware of about the acceptance rates of perfect scorers. That’s probably because schools use test scores as an indicator of “college readiness.” The higher your test score, the less likely an Admissions Committee will question if you can do the work. The lower a student’s SAT/ACT score, the more an Admissions Director will ask themselves, “If I admit this kid, will he struggle with the work-load on my campus? Will s/he become a ‘B’ student or a ‘C’ student?” That’s why it’s important to remember that the higher your score, the more a committee will think you can succeed at their institution.

That said, test scores are really secondary to teacher recommendations, guidance counselor’s Secondary School Report (SSR), essays, extracurricular activities and “wow” factors. My son is a perfect example of how subjective and random the applications process really is. He had a 36 ACT and was rejected from Harvard (even though his sister attends there), but accepted to Yale and Princeton. Does it make sense? Not from my point of view, but whatever thought process went into Harvard’s decisions, I’m fairly certain that my son’s perfect test score was secondary to whatever the Admissions Committee’s were looking for.