How much do test scores really matter?

Peytoncline
Mon, 06 Jul 2009 23:22:45 +0000

“I know a Korean kid who got a 2100 and was accepted to Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Brown, and Upenn Whartan. No hook. you’r fine.”

I don’t doubt that at all, but I’d have to guess that this applicant had some amazing ECs (Intel, Siemens, Nasa research stuff, some kind of unheard-of musical talent, etc.) because most with a 2100 do not get accepted to those kinds of universities. Acquiring at least a 2200 is the safest bet for these kinds of colleges (there’s only 1 shot at it, and you don’t want to miss it). Now, of course, if you already have a 2200 or so, it probably isn’t in your best interest to retake the test. However, if you do have below a 2200, I’d suggest taking it 1 more time to see if you can get higher. If you can’t, then don’t worry about it and really make your application shine with your ECs, essays, etc.