Do colleges truly look at highest scores or patterns?

Test Preparation
1

<p>My DS scored lower on the second and third sittings for the SAT. Second drop wasn’t significant, but third was – and NOTHING ever exceeded the first set of scores (which weren’t stellar as it stands – 2170).</p>

<p>He has great ECs (national music credentials and awards as a pianist as well as professional publications) and a 4.0 UW GPA. But I’m worried that he disqualified himself from consideration for any of his reach schools due to the downward pattern. On the last test, he was over-caffeinated since he played in a concert the night before (my dumbass suggestion) – and it clearly had a negative impact.</p>

<p>I have read that schools do, indeed, look at patterns. Any insights/experiences would be deeply appreciated. Tired of googling frantically for guidance on this topic.</p>

2

<p>For the most part it’s in you hands as you choose the scores you wish to send to a particular college. Though a very small number do require all scores to be sent.</p>

3

<p>Yes, he kept on getting a pop-up on College Board indicating that the schools required all scores to be considered for scholarships, etc. So they definitely have all scores. Just wondering if they go with the top scores or also look at the patterns. He is really on the margins as it stands.</p>

4

<p>Hoping for another response. He dropped from a 2170 to a 2080, and he already sent all the scores, since all of the schools said they required it for scholarship consideration. I am now doubting that, but it’s too late to second guess. Is he completely out of the running for any of his reach schools if the rest of his application is strong? </p>

5

<p>I don’t honestly believe that colleges will look at that in a negative light. They just want to see the progression. It’s only a 90 point difference. Your son could have had a bad day. FWIW, he still got the 2170 and that shouldn’t completely eliminate him. </p>

6

<p>Thanks so much for your response. I appreciate it. </p>

7

<p>Wait, isn’t a 2170 good?</p>

8

<p>It’s fine for a lot of schools, but not HYPSM and top LACs. I think for the most competitive schools, anything over 2250 will get you into the consideration pool. I think above 2250, schools are looking at ECs and passion, etc. At 2170, those ECs and passion have to be significantly stronger. </p>

9

<p>bluemeringue ==> a 2170 can obviously get you into HYP. </p>

<p>The 25th-75th percentile score of accepted students at HYP is 2120-2380</p>

<p>That means that 25% of accepted students scored 2120 or below.</p>

<p>2170 is a very good score.</p>

10

<p>Thanks – that’s great to hear. I was assuming that the lower 40% are athletes, URMs and legacies. Are a decent percentage of unhooked kids in there as well if they have strong ECs and grades?</p>

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<p>Only on CC could I see 2170 described as not stellar. </p>

12

<p>@SansSerif‌ I know right? It totally confuses me.</p>