What accounts for differences in SAT scores?

bluebayou
Fri, 07 Dec 2007 11:56:28 +0000

don’t fixate on tests scores so much. I believe admissions is much more nuanced than one data point. For example, in cllgemom’s post, I would suggest that an applicant would get a “fair look” if he/she had a 1400 with a 3.9 gpa at a highly competitive HS.

(I realize that the Dartmouth’s reputation is more test score oriented than some other colleges, but I have yet to see any evidence of same. On another thread, a poster mentioned that D focused on test scores than say Brown, but statistically, their test scores are identical. Yes, Michelle Hernandez did write that the former Adcom, Karl F would give lower gpa kids a break if they had higher test scores, but that does not prove that D prefers higher test scores relative to ALL other stuff in the folder. Moreover Michelle did not indicate if that kid with the lower gpa/higher test scores was possibly hooked, i.e., development case that Karl was helping thru. Also, note that he is the FORMER Dean – we have nothing to indicate how this new admissions team will work – and Michelle’s work is based on late '90s info.)

Transcript, curriculum, strength of schedule, strength of HS competition, being part of an educational community, and recs are ALL part of the review. IMO, once an applicant is over 1400/2100, the adcom knows that the applicant is highly capable of doing the work – then, it’s on to the other ‘stuff.’