<p>@quietdesparation - I don’t think top schools look at SAT scores in the way CC’ers do. It’s more like a threshold that is met, than a comparative scale. Because of the way that scores are reported on the common data set, then having scores in the 700+ range on each subtest is very important – but beyond that it makes no difference. The schools know that at that level, the scores do not give them useful information about the student’s abilities, and there is no added value to them of a student who has a score of 750 CR vs. 700 CR – both will be reported in the same way on the common data set.</p>
<p>Because colleges report median score ranges and not averages, a higher number doesn’t add much weight either-- he’s just one more student who falls within the median, probably above the 50% mark at most schools.</p>
<p>The problem is that super-high scores in combined with a GPA that is not near the top for his school sends a potentially negative message to the ad coms. It says basically that the kid is more interested in doing well on a standardized test than with his school work. Now it’s possible the kid’s school is very challenging and that A’s are tough to come by --but that’s not the impression given by the OP. </p>
<p>The kid does not need to be “packaged” – no one does – but every application tells a story, and “really high SAT’s” is not the story that needs to be told. Maybe the kid’s story stems from his experiences living and attending school abroad, maybe it comes from the combination of his athleticism and intellectual talents. Maybe there’s a pattern to his grades (strong in maths and sciences) that is part of his story. </p>
<p>There’s no harm that I can see in retaking the SAT – except that I think it’s wasted effort. The kid might boost his scores by 100 points and be delighted – but that’s not going to change the admissions landscape by much, and may even have a negative impact in the sense of making the kid more complacent. (For example, not working as hard on an essay or choosing a more reach-y slate of colleges to apply to). Every spring the boards on CC are full of disappointed students with stellar SAT scores – they are stunned by results – and I think part of the problem is the CC mythology of SAT scores being a magic ticket. </p>