SAT 1 scores in Are these good enough?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the implications of SAT scores for college admissions, particularly for competitive programs in Theoretical Physics at institutions like MIT, Princeton, Stanford, and Caltech. Participants explore the significance of these scores in the context of overall college applications.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses disappointment in their Critical Reading and Writing scores but feels satisfied with their Math score, questioning the overall impact on their applications to top universities.
  • Another participant suggests that while the scores may have a positive effect at most colleges, they could have a negative effect specifically at MIT, Princeton, Stanford, and Caltech.
  • A different participant shares their experience of gaining admission to the University of Chicago with similar scores, emphasizing that admissions decisions consider more than just SAT scores.
  • One participant reflects on their intensive preparation for the SAT, noting the challenges faced while balancing IB coursework and expressing regret over not achieving higher scores in the Critical Reading section.
  • Another participant asserts that at elite universities, SAT scores and grades primarily serve as a preliminary filter, indicating that exceptional extracurricular activities and other factors are crucial for admission.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the weight of SAT scores in admissions decisions, with some believing they are critical while others argue they are less significant compared to other aspects of an application. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the specific impact of the scores on admissions to the mentioned institutions.

Contextual Notes

Participants acknowledge that college admissions are multifaceted and that SAT scores are only one component of the evaluation process. There is an implied uncertainty regarding the exact criteria used by elite universities in their admissions decisions.

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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