Please Help--Need Advice Regarding SATs ASAP

PennHopeful09
Wed, 17 Sep 2008 18:12:14 +0000

Hey guys. As you can tell from my username, I plan on applying to UPenn ED this fall. I want to maximize my chances for admittance, and I can’t decide if I should take the SATs again. I’ve taken them twice already and gotten a 2240 superscore (720 R, 720 M, 800 W–12 essay). Those are right on the average for Penn, but the R/M score is lower than Penn’s average. If I take them again, I think I can go up about 50 points, maybe to a 750 in R/M each if I do really well (I’ve done that on a few practices). However, I can also go down (for example, i only got a 640 R the first time I took the ACT, & a 660 math the 2nd time I took it). What I was wondering was whether Penn really looks at all the scores (I know they take the superscore, but do they still see the 600s?) If they see everything, then I’m worried that if I go down, they might think my superscore was a fluke. But if the computer separates it and they really only see the superscore, then I think I might as well try one more time to see if I can push myself to at least a 750 in reading or math.

So, what do you guys think? Is it worth it to take them again? Do they see all the scores, or just the superscore? I need to know ASAP, because the registration deadline is in 2 days for the Oct. 5 SAT? How much do you think I would have to go up to significantly increase my chances.

So you know, I’m a female from a NJ high school. I have a high GPA (3.85), have taken 8 APs total in high school, and for extras I’m president of one club, on the board of another, a news columnist for the newspaper, do independent research, NHS, and have won two academic awards. I took the ACT last week for the first time, and am hoping for a 34. If I can get that, I’ll never have to worry about the SATs again because that equates to I believe like a 1510. Should I retake the SATs if I get a 33? What do you think are my chances now, and how much would they be increased if I do more standardized testing?

Thank you thank you thank you for reading this and hopefully replying.