Should I retake the SATAnswered
I got a 1430 on the SAT, I could retake it but the next sitting is on a very important event I don't want to miss. I'm applying to USC and Stanford. I have a 4.0 unweighted, and 4.33 weighted, I took 7 honors, 7 APs, and probably like 5 or 6 college classes, Sage gave me a 28% chance for USC with this score, but I applied early action so I can only get deferred. My essays are pretty strong though. Should I retake it anyways? Should I go test-optional? My chances for Stanford with 1430 is 18% right now.
Earn karma by helping others:
1 answer
I don't believe Stanford is particularly stringent regarding SAT scores, as many other Ivies are. I believe their middle 50% is lower on average than others. However, a 1430 isn't low enough to consider going test-optional. I would submit it even if you don't have the opportunity to take another test, especially if it's higher than your school average. Also, sometimes admissions officers think you bombed it if you go test-optional, which is much worse than submitting a potentially 25% or lower score among other admitted students.
Even so, your GPA is incredibly strong, as is your course load. These to colleges (as I understand it) are much more important to admission than a standardized test score. Thinking logically, an admissions officer would much rather see a consistently high performance over time than your performance in one test. I think you're good to submit it---even if it's lower than the schools' 50% averages, the rest of your profile will keep your application strong.
By the way, Sage's chancing isn't the end-all chance. It doesn't know you or your profile as well as an admissions officer will when they read your application. Be confident---you've got this.
Your chance of acceptance
Your chancing factors
Community Guidelines
To keep this community safe and supportive:
- Be kind and respectful!
- Keep posts relevant to college admissions and high school.
- Don’t ask “chance-me” questions. Use CollegeVine’s chancing instead!
For Stanford, I know someone with a 1340 who got in. For USC, I know people with a 900, 1340, 1420 2x, 1400, 1410 2x, and 1430. Yes, most people who get in have a score above 1500, but you can still get accepted with a score of 1430. Your GPA is perfect, and you have college classes. I wouldn't repeat it, but for test-optional, you have to choose that for yourself.