<p>I got a 2240 on my SAT, but the subsections are fairly good if only considering math and cr (1530), but most people on this site would say that 2250+ is needed to be competitive for top schools. Does this difference really matter and would it be more beneficial to send my 34 ACT with 11 writing or both? Sorry for this cliché question, but I just don’t want that 10 point difference to be what cuts me off from the hidden threshold.</p>
<p>This is thoroughly my own opinion, so please do not expand this to all admissions officers.
Also, I may be biased because i got a 2290 on the SAT.</p>
<p>I think that the “thresholds” of 2300+ and 2200+ is a bit arbitrary and hopefully not used in college decisions, i mean the 10 point difference between these things shouldn’t really matter more than it should to the eyes of Ad. Officers. As long as you have a high enough SAT score, they will realize that you’re intelligent enough, and probably move on to other parts of your application, as many top colleges have a holistic admission policy.</p>
<p>For the ACT thing, its completely up to you. They’re about the same score, so I wouldn’t expect a significant difference either way.</p>
<p>Thats my .02$, and mine alone. </p>
<p>There is no hidden threshold. The “thresholds” you hear about on College Confidential are only theoretical, but even then they are quite arbitrary. Here’s the gist of “threshold theory”*:
If I were you, I would submit both scores. According to threshold theory, top schools will look at your scores and say “He’s academically qualified. Let’s read his essays and see if he has a personality!”</p>
<p>*Don’t go around talking about “threshold theory” without a definition. I just created the term, and while I quite like my neologism, the theory itself does not have much supporting evidence. :)</p>
<p>Alright thanks…that’s what I was thinking.</p>
<p>the idea of a threshold is silly - as everyone has said, its an arbitrary point that is subject to slippery slope issues. higher is better in general but you with 10 more points would have an insignificantly small increase in admissions chances.</p>
<p>There is no bright line for test scores in admissions - it’s a big grey area. Obviously, the higher the better, but fine distinctions are just noise, your admission or denial will depend on something far more substantial than 50 (or 10) points one way or another.</p>
<p>Also, with admissions at all the elite schools being “holistic”, clearly they look at the whole package and consider things in context. An athlete with a 1900 may have the whole package while a couch potato with a 2400 may not. (Not that I endorse that - it’s just the way it is.)</p>
<p>I agree with everyone – and normally I wouldn’t suggest sending both your ACT and SAT scores, but in your case, I think it could benefit you. I also don’t think there is a “threshhold” per se, but… one rep might look t your SAT scores (which are great but lower on writing) and wonder about your writing ability for college… Now, if that was all you sent, he or she would look at your essays and the classes you took and probably figure out you are fine. BUT… then if you also sent your ACT they would see. ahhh, you got an 11 on your essay …</p>
<p>so I figure in your case, the combination of the two kind of answer lots of possible questions.</p>