SAT 1 scores in Are these good enough?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the implications of SAT scores for applicants to elite universities such as MIT, Princeton, Stanford, and Caltech. The participant achieved a Critical Reading score of 630 (85th percentile), Math score of 740 (97th percentile), and Writing score of 650 (90th percentile). While the Math score is satisfactory, the participant expresses disappointment in the Critical Reading and Writing scores, acknowledging that these scores may negatively impact applications to top-tier institutions. It is emphasized that admissions decisions are influenced by a multitude of factors beyond SAT scores.

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Werg22
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Ok so I got

Critical Reading 630 85th percentile
Math 740 97th percentile
Writing 650 90th percentile

I Have to say I'm disappointed in CR and writing sections. However I'm satisfied with Math. If I'm applying into Theoretical Physics at say MIT, Princeton, Standford and Caltech, will these scores have a positive or negative effect?
 
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At most places, probably a positive effect. At MIT, Princeton, Stanford, and Caltech, probably a negative effect.
 
I got into the University of Chicago with very similar scores, but you do need to realize that colleges base decisions on much more than SAT scores.
 
d_leet said:
I got into the University of Chicago with very similar scores, but you do need to realize that colleges base decisions on much more than SAT scores.

That's exactly what I'm hoping for :-p I'm in the IB, so taking the test along with several projects and 4 exams, made it very hard. I was working for 7 hours a day. On the test day I barely got any sleep... Still I'm disappointed, I learned 750 new words in 3 days in order to get a good score on the CR section... guess it didn't work, despite getting above 700+ on my practice tests. If only I had an extra month, I could rise my score by at least 100 points. Oh well, can't do much about it. At least the math score isn't too shabby.
 
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What do you do *outside* of school?

I'm not kidding... at the elite universities, SAT scores and grades are little more than a first pass filter to weed out the obviously unsuitable. No one gets into MIT, Princeton, Stanford and Caltech because of good grades and SAT scores... although bad grades and low SAT scores can keep you out.
 

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