URM and SAT's

entomom
Tue, 13 May 2008 12:19:01 +0000

I don’t think your assumptions are true:

high SAT score => assumed mid to high SES => undercutting of URM status

AOs know that a high SAT score can be accomplished many ways: very smart kid who is a good test taker, expensive prepping by tutor, inexpensive prepping ala Xiggi’s method, etc. A high SAT score is always good, period.

A student’s SES is assessed many ways: the HS attended, zip code, content of essays, ECs, FA information if need aware, etc. These are the things that will tell an AO if a student has had socioeconomic advantages or has had obstacles to overcome, not their SAT score.

IMO the SAT score and SES can potentially affect URM status in various ways and can only be assessed given the entire application.

As far as your question about raising your SAT score, if you’re a jr transfer it doesn’t seem worth the effort as your college record will be more important. It also depends on what your already ‘good’ score is and what else you could be doing with your time and money to show what kind of applicant you are.