<p>Which top colleges put major emphasis on SAT scores as an admission factor more than others? I know that every top school puts an amount of emphasis on them, but also cares about holistic review. But which schools will definitely go for a high scorer?</p>
<p>Not many top colleges put heavy emphasis on the SAT because it really isn’t that difficult to get a high score. Since there are so many students with perfect scores, top colleges choose to focus on other criteria, instead. Average and below average colleges will usually put heavier emphasis on SAT.</p>
<p>Amongst top colleges, I would say CalTech, Harvey Mudd, and MIT place more emphasis on the SAT than others. Basically, all the engineering colleges are more sensitive to SAT scores.</p>
<p>Hmm interesting…I’m definately not the engineer type.</p>
<p>I think you’ll be more hard pressed to find schools which do NOT place greater emphasis on SAT scores.</p>
<p>Yes, but it seems some colleges place more emphasis. For example, it seems Tufts values high SAT scores.</p>
<p>What is your situation?</p>
<p>Top schools don’t like ok gpa’s with high test scores. They want both.</p>
<p>I’m really just curious…</p>
<p>But as for me, im nothing special. I have a 2310 SAT, and my gpa probably around a 95 uw.</p>
<p>Tufts doesn’t place unusual weight on SAT scores…</p>
<p>in fact, their admissions process is unusual in how much it is guided by intangibles.</p>
<p>treehugga, your numbers are fantastic. really, they are.
just because fantastic numbers are no guarantee of top college acceptance doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t feel lucky and accomplished to have gotten the stats you have.</p>
<p>Just want to mention that my son had 2400 and near 4.0 at top high school in IB program - did not get into the 4 top schools he applied to Princeton, Harvard, Penn, MIT. Highest ranked school accepted to was CMU but not enough aid was given to justify attending. Had decent ec’s but perhaps weak essays. Pitt gave him full tuition scholarship - they really go for high stats no matter what the rest of your ap looks like. It may not be a top 10 school, but I’m sure he’ll get all the opportunities he needs to get to a good grad school.</p>
<p>Interesting…from the naviance at my school, no person has been rejected with an sat of over 2200, but then im sure thats just my school. so basically, top schools care about everything, but when you go a tier down, they start to focus more on numbers.</p>
<p>im not aiming for HYP seriously, maybe just yale as a reach, but this is all good to know.</p>
<p>bumping this.</p>
<p>simple: google National Merit Program and examine their Annual Report. Every college that awards scholarships from NMSF places a heavier weight on test scores. In essence, they are buying students based on the results a a ~3 hour test.</p>
<p>I’ve heard that Notre Dame puts a heavier emphasis on test scores than some of it’s peers. I’m not sure how true that is, and some people on this thread might not consider ND a top school, but you might wanna investigate for yourself.</p>
<p>Thanks, all good suggestions.</p>
<p>Public schools are more likely to put great emphasis on test scores and have less holistic review. Not everyone considers places like Berkeley, Michigan, and UCLA “top,” but I do.</p>
<p>Just to clarify hanna, Cal & UCLA do NOT place more weight on test scores; just the opposite – gpa is paramount.</p>
<p>^^^^^^agree</p>
<p>@ trehugga - One thing to note about Naviance is I have noticed that my son’s SAT/GPA is still reflecting his stats as of the end of his Jr year. Like many students he retested in the fall of his Sr. year. raising his score about 100pts. When this years current Jr’s are looking a Naviance they are seeing data points showing he was accepted to universities with stats lower than what the schools accepted him with. He may or may not have been accepted with SATs 100pts lower…I don’t know. My point is, students are looking at the current data using it as a guide and it is not correct. It makes me wonder how many other students later raised their SAT/GPA and what is reflected in Naviance is not what the universities used to evaluate a student. Most schools used holistic methods and this is only part of the picture, but kids do use Naviance as a guide. Just keep in mind what you are seeing may be low.</p>
<p>Caltech looks at scores the most</p>
<p>hey guys just bumping this, still trying to get a college list together…any other schools that re more score-oriented?</p>