Should I submit my sat score
So I am a rising senior and have taken the SAT once and scored a 1500. My dream school is UPenn and I plan on applying ED. However, I feel that score is a little low for people of my background (asian, male). I know that UPenn and most other schools are going test optional this year. But I was wondering if I should just submit my 1500, retake the SAT and try to get a better score (though I'm not super confident I can increase my score by much), or not even submit an SAT score at all? Also, could a 1500 hurt my application if its below average of other applicants for test optional schools? Thanks.
The key word here is "recommends" instead of requirement. Since it's just a recommendation you don't need to submit all your scores. If you did better on each individual section with the 1480 than I would not submit the 1390. Here's their website for more info: https://admissions.upenn.edu/admissions-and-financial-aid/what-penn-looks-for/testing
3 answers
So you are right in the middle with out adjusting for demographics.
The middle 50% is 1460-1550. I’m of the opinion that a good sat, and a 1500 is a good sat is better than no sat. School want to admit students that can succeed and the sat and act are used to show that.
Also UPenn super scores so there is no harm in taking the sat again.
Hope this helps and please comment if you need clarification.
I agree with @DebaterMAX here. A 1500 is a good score regardless and it makes sense to submit it especially with test optional submissions this year. While I get this might be too late, if you can, I'd also recommend retaking the SAT just to see what happens. Most people take the test multiple times anyways so there's no shame in taking it again if you think you can improve.
@Shaq why did you respond to this as this is about 3-4 months late?
I’m curious.
You'll see me doing that from time to time. We use some internal metrics to track questions, the progress of the forum, and SEO. Plus, it never hurts to add some comments/answers for anyone who stumbles upon the questions down the line.
Ah that makes. So you try to respond to the most viewed questions in essence?
Essentially. Or ones that seem to be gaining traction
I think you should submit it. The average score of previous years was the result of people having the luxury of taking SAT several times, superscoring, selecting between submitting SAT or ACT, etc. This year things are different. If in your first attempt you score 1500, you signal your potential and academic ability. My view is that this box is well checked and you should focus on other things. Good luck !
the score itself would still be a point of weakness so even though it was a “first-try” score it shouldn’t be submitted unless it wold be a strong supplement to the application
@crsgo It’s a mid 50% score?
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Honestly, college admissions are kind of wack, and students with 1600s get rejected while those with 1480s get accepted. Pretty sure the SAT just indicates future college success and 1500 definitely shows that. 1500 is fine.
ok, i understand
Clearly that's not true based on the middle 50%. Also the increase in chances diminishes as your score gets higher.
that makes sense
You won't get rejected because of a 1500 SAT score...
yeah sorry about that; i think i just misread information online about the SAT range for these schools
Crsgo I really don’t want to pile on but even if it was not a pandemic year a 1500 is in the middle of the mid 50% for UPenn. And if Asians need a 50 point boost he’d be at the bottom of the mid 50% +-10 points. So for HYPSM maybe but even then it’s middle 50 not 100%. But I can see where you came from.
i had a somewhat skewed viewpoint i guess but i’m seeing that’s not actually the case... thanks for educating me on this
https://www.prepscholar.com/sat/s/colleges/Harvard-SAT-scores-GPA I generally say below a 1450 is an absolute no go and 1500 is feasible. Google is a great tool. Mid 50 sat insert school is how I find the data just a tip. (For HYPSM) ivies subtract 40ish points. No offense intended :-)
yeah no offense taken, i see how i was wrong lol
I feel like I have an even better question lol. The first time I took the exam I got a 1480. I too felt like this wasn't enough so I retook it thinking I could break 1500, but I didn't prepare as much and had to wake up at 4am to drive across state to my test site because my local sites all closed due to COVID. I got a 1390. I know UPenn recommends to submit all SAT scores, but I feel like this drastic decrease in points looks unfavorable. Should I break this and only send my best score?