Should I sit for SAT again for Yale?

gibby
Thu, 13 Jun 2013 11:08:16 +0000

Schools use test scores as an indicator of “college readiness.” The lower a student’s SAT/ACT score, the more an Admissions Director will ask themselves, “If I admit this kid, will he struggle with the work-load on my campus? Will s/he become a ‘B’ student or a ‘C’ student?” If I had to pick a “safe” number, it would be 2100. Admissions Committee’s assume that students with a 2100+ SAT (or the ACT equivalent) are prepared to meet the challenge of college work. That’s why it’s important to remember that the higher your score, the more a committee will think you can succeed at their institution.

That said, test scores are really secondary to teacher recommendations, guidance counselor’s Secondary School Report (SSR), essays, extracurricular activities and “wow” factors. My kids are perfect examples of how subjective and random the applications process really is. My daughter had a 2280 SAT and was rejected from Yale and Princeton, but accepted to Harvard. My son had a 36 ACT and was rejected from Harvard (even though his sister attends there), but accepted to Yale and Princeton. Does it make sense? Not from my point of view, but whatever thought process went into the decisions, I’m fairly certain that test scores were secondary to whatever the Admissions Committee’s were looking for.