<p>I have heard more than one from informed sources that scores over 2300 are all treated about the same - and that adcoms are not impressed with kids who eke out a few more points with multiple retakes. Keep in mind that the adcoms are human beings who see thousands of apps and live in the real world. They are exceedingly familiar with the SATs and know that a very few questions separate a 2350 from a 2400. I can’t imagine that they wouldn’t rather see you spend your time on something else.</p>
<p>Sunshower: Caution about score choice. Colleges may have one of 5 policies on score hiding so check the websites. Just because the college board allows it does not mean the college to which you apply does. For example: Stanford does not permit the hiding of any SAT scores.
That being said, OP has no problem with showing a second sitting, but why waste the time better spent on other credentials. And, again, the adcoms will respect the OP for being satisfied with his/her scores and moving on. OP’s scores put him/her in contention at every college, now it is up to recs, essays, grades, and ECs.</p>
<p>We can only interpolate the data from the graphs, as in any strict analysis, and data suggests exponential increase in chance of getting into Elite schools as scores approach 2400. </p>
<p>In terms of EC, is a student with a 2400 really going to be much more spectacular than one with a 2300, or even a 2250? One would think not…</p>
<p>SO the problem clearly has nothing to do with EC as much as test score because EC will be of roughly equal caliber. This suggests at the top of the pool, aiming for perfection is optimal.</p>
<p>I guess what im trying to point out is the exponential scarcity of high scores. Being able to claim that you are one of 250 kids with a 2400 is a lot more impressive than being one of 7000 kids with a 2300+.</p>
<p>No a hundred times!</p>
<p>It makes you look pretentious and overly concerned with scores. </p>
<p>You might also do worse.</p>
<p>Maybe for a 1540/2340. But you have a 1590. That’s great, and unless you are an absolute perfectionist, stay away from it.</p>
<p>In 2009 approximately 1.5 million students took the SAT. Of them, approximately 2000 scored 2340 or higher, split almost evenly over male and female test takers. See:</p>
<p><a href=“http://professionals.collegeboard.com/profdownload/sat_percentile_ranks_composite_cr_m_w.pdf[/url]”>Higher Education Professionals | College Board;
<p>If all the 2340 or higher applicants applied to Harvard and were accepted, Harvard would have room to spare.</p>
<p>There are much better ways to “improve” your application than trying to move up from number 2000 to 1600 or so on the SAT list. Focus on your impact to your school and greater community. Anything you can achieve in this sphere can actually have an impact on your appeal to selective colleges. Focus on demonstrating to your target colleges that you have an intellectual spark that is stronger than most other applicants.</p>
<p>Jason - You are commiting the cardinal sin of data analysis, saying the data “suggests” that. It does no such thing because the data is not presented with a fine enough gradation. You are inferring a conclusion that simply is not supportable by the data given. And your comment about EC’s answers an argument that wasn’t even made by anyone. Take a few graduate level science courses and do some research that you publish, then come back and talk to us.</p>