<p>S2 did fairly well – CR 710, M 700 (wanted a score beginning w/a 7, so was happy with this), W 790 (74 MC/12 essay). 1410/2200 total. Take that essay score, tough-grading IB English teacher! He wants to retake, as he had an 800 CR on the PSAT and had been doing 750+ on the Blue Book practices, so he feels he is capable of better. Would also like to squeeze a few more points out of math if possible. He came out of the test not sure at all how he had done, so I think he is relieved with his performance.</p>
<p>His target was a 2250, so with some fine tuning, it seems a reasonable goal. He’ll do it in June after APs. He is taking AP Lit and the SAT-II Lit exam in May, so being ready for those should help CR.</p>
<p>If he decides to hold with these scores, he’d probably make sure he has a couple more reasonable bets. These scores won’t keep him out of anywhere he’s interested, but a stronger score would help support his GPA at a very tough program. He has already said he will not take the ACT or do a third SAT exam.</p>
<p>S has 1580 for CR and Math, and 680 for writing. H thinks he should retake. I don’t think he should.<br>
Since he is interested in Phys and math, does the writing score really matter?</p>
<p>That was two years ago, granted, but I didn’t have straight 800’s by any means, and clearly Dartmouth didn’t care. My extracurriculars were unremarkable, and my grades were good but not outstanding. However, I had a very good essay, glowing recommendations, an art portfolio, and fluency in three languages and some competency in a fourth. Not that anyone asked, but for context. :o</p>
<p>(If you are wondering about the excess of Subject Tests, I had a phase junior year where I wanted to be a neuroscientist and thought about applying to MIT, which requires math and two sciences. Unfortunately those aren’t really my strengths, hence the French and Literature. I took the Spanish test because I’d mostly self-studied and had no Spanish on my high school transcript.)</p>
<p>The writing score may not matter so much but it depends on the school. I just looked up Cornell, for example, for my S and for their admissions stats, they don’t even bother reporting the writing.</p>
<p>I will say that having good skills in writing, if S is going to be a researcher and applying for grant funding, is pretty important.</p>
<p>Your context was very good and enlightening. More than half the time, it’s those pieces that seem to be missing from some posts, making more sketcy admit stats look like a mystery to those of us who wonder sometimes, “What were those admissions committees thinking?”</p>
<p>Put on your thinking caps and try to be like a member of an admissions committee.</p>
<p>My S has “applied” to two different kinds of summer lab experience. One actually was an application, for a competitive (30-40 slots) 8 week program with the UCLA Samueli School of Engineering. He’s get hands on lab experience, something hopefully to write a paper on in the end, and a stipend. (He’s waiting on the decision.)</p>
<p>The second is one he’s initiating more on his own, and is pretty much a sure thing. He can work at USC with a professor who’s studying global warming, and looking for a student with good math skills who can learn the Mathlab software and complete some climate modeling, and write a paper about it. Maybe a stipend and more flexible about the time.</p>
<p>All other things being equal (which I’m not sure in the end they well be), S would be more interested in the experience that would look best on the college application. Would it be the competitive program, or the program where he’s had to take more initiative in contacting the professor and (kind of ) designing the program? I should note that DH made first contact with the prof but it was very generic and preliminary, but since college applications often ask where the parents work, might they discount his effort because DH works at the same college, although in quite a different department?</p>
<p>Thanks FAP., S is a good writer, and I do agree good writing skills are important.
I am not too sure that a 20 minutes test is a good way to judge those skills.</p>
<p>don’t mean to nag, but I don’t want my question in #4959 to get lost. I could of course start a new thread, but then we wouldn’t get the posts here. So if you guys promise to weigh in, I’ll happily keep the discussion here.</p>
<p>FAP- I think people might note the connection on the USC opportunity unfortunately. Wait until the details on both are known then let him decide, either would be great.</p>
<p>Thanks to everyone for sharing scores, I really think it helps others to help flesh out the other kids. And thanks to you also Liz for sharing your details.</p>
<p>jackief, I think those junior visit days are a bit like admitted students days, you’ll get different opinions about whether they really reflect what the school is like. I’d say it depends a bit on exactly what’s on the agenda. If luncheon for example includes being able to join with students, that might be helpful.</p>
<p>My experience with Junior days that my son went to was that they were all over the map. Some were well done - some were terrible. This time around, I am scheduling my DD trips so as to miss them - I’d rather have the consistently average experience than the highs and lows of the packaged Junior days. </p>
<p>We show up, take the standard tour, attend the info session or meet with an admissions person, grab a meal in the student cafeteria, and then take a long walk around campus. Works great so far. If DD were planning to play sports, attending a practice and meeting with the coach would be a great addon.</p>
<p>Thanks for the chorus of inputs, everyone. I don’t really know whether I want to be talked into or out of retaking, but the consensus is definitely lopsided. All of my school friends are telling me not to retake, too; my mom says it’s up to me, whether I want to put in the drill time on math. I did “study” for math, and the strategies review helped, but I never really got into drill-practice mode so I think I have room to improve. Think, think, think about it… but if I do retake, it will be June or October, so I have time to decide.</p>
<p>VP–March was my first time “for real.” I took it in 8th grade for CTY, in the first/second year of 3-section sittings, and got a 2170. Hmm… the intentional blanking sounds intriguing, maybe a little risky. Anyone have anecdotal evidence at top schools re: such a case?</p>
<p>jackief: So, if I got 750 M but say 770s in CR/W, should I hypothetically send both scores or just the first? SAT Subjects are 760 MII / 800 Lit, and I’m done with those. ((No idea about junior visit days, alas. I’m the eldest and my parents went to college in China, so…))</p>
<p>I brought both wooden and mechanical pencils with me, but ended up using mechanical for 75% of the test. Proctor didn’t say anything (in fact, my SAT Subjects proctor explicitly told me it was okay!).</p>
<p>Best of luck to those unhappy with their scores–I know I could be in a much less enviable dilemma–hopefully the ACT/retake will be better!</p>
<p>Leaving a section blank on the SAT can be construed as a request to cancel scores. I tell test-takers to always do their best on all sections each time.</p>
<p>So, question: if we take merit out of the picture (I have, ah, differently-thinking parents whom I love very much–they’re not very keen on the merit-to-lesser-school idea), is it worth it to retake? Since in all probability I will end up at a need-based school, with merit safeties/low matches tacked at the bottom of the list.</p>
<p>Jackief - I’ve never been to a visiting juniors day, so I can’t compare them to a regular tour/info session - sorry. I don’t think that should be a big concern though - go when it is most convenient for you - I’m sure both options have their plusses and minuses.</p>
<p>FAP - I think both opportunities sound terrific, and I honestly can’t tell which would look better on your son’s college app. Good luck to him, whichever he chooses.</p>
<p>Keilexandra - yes, you would send your new scores because most schools superscore in that case. Also, with some colleges, you’re required to submit all scores.</p>
<p>Keilexandra - I originally told my D that if scored 2300 or above, she wasn’t allowed to retake. She can be a perfectionist, and I didn’t want her stressing over this decision the way you are. As it turned out, she scored in the 2200s, and I want her to retake it to increase her CR, but her GC told her not to bother, so now she doesn’t know what to do! So now I feel like I’m the one creating stress for her.</p>
<p>My question to you (and any one else with 2300+) on retaking - what is the upside versus the downside? In my opinion, with scores at that level, there is very little upwards possible - and lots of potential down. </p>
<p>Or to put it another way - how would you feel about a 2200 the second time? Would you regret taking it again? </p>
<p>The only way I would suggest you take it again is if you can prove to yourself with practice tests under the test conditions that you can average a significantly better result.</p>
<p>jackief - We’ve been to 3 junior visit days and 2 small info sessions with tours. I like the small sessions better. The junior visit days we attended were mob scenes (UMCP, Loyola MD, and F&M). There were at least 500 kids at each and 1.5 - 2 parents per kid. No chance to ask meaningful questions or have an egaging tour. Also, at 4 - 6 hours, the junior days take a toll on a 16yo’s attention span. :rolleyes: :o</p>
<p>FWIW my D’s counselor recommended that she retake but her 2250 was well below 2300 and it was clear that her reading score would go up on a retake. Keilex, if merit aid is not a big priority then retaking the SAT might not add much to your already strong package.</p>
<p>No experience of junior visit days, so I can’t contribute, jackief.</p>
<p>FAP, reading your description I think the project at USC sounds like possibly a better fit, even though dad works there.</p>
He wants to retake, as he had an 800 CR on the PSAT and had been doing 750+ on the Blue Book practices, so he feels he is capable of better. Would also like to squeeze a few more points out of math if possible. He came out of the test not sure at all how he had done, so I think he is relieved with his performance.</p>