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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]DD got 1520 first time and then dropped to 1500 second.  She is debating whether to take again.  Does it look bad to colleges to take it three times, esp if she doesn't improve? We realize that 1520 is generally a great score but we know that for top schools it's average.  For context, she did a handful of test prep sessions before each of her two test dates and a couple of practice tests.  Was hoping to improve to 1550 or greater after first score.  Currently a junior (MCPS), so would register for the Aug date if doing it again. We are inclined to have her not test again- but would appreciate perspectives from parents who've been through it[/quote]

Once you’re up at 1520, I doubt that it will make much difference when it comes to top schools. They evaluate holistically, Joy based on a few points difference on test scores. Once you’re at 1520, you’re high enough to be in the game. As an example, my GD got into Harvard with 35 on her ACT a few years ago. Her younger sister came along 2 years later with a perfect 36 on her ACT, was waitlisted at Harvard, and was never called off the WL. Being slightly higher on the test didn’t matter; it was something else that made the difference.

When you’re talking about “top schools”, the odds are against every single applicant unless they’re hooked. They’re a reach regardless of how well qualified a candidate is. It needs to be approached as a reach and effort needs to go into creating a balanced list of schools that she will be happy with.

Going from 1520 to 1500 means she has plateaued. She’s reached her ceiling. There’s no point in taking it again, and no kid needs the pressure of taking it repeatedly in hopes of eking out a few more points which probably don’t matter anyway.

To come full circle on my GD, She was WL’d or rejected at several other T20’s in RD, but she was also accepted at several T20s. It was a painful lesson, but if you cast your net wide among the level of schools your kid is qualified for, you’ll likely eventually find a match. But also being realistic, it’s getting harder and harder right now and will be for a few more years. When schools like BU and Northeastern are receiving 80 and 90,000 applications and are accepting only 14% and 7% respectively, you know that the world has changed. Time to adjust.[/quote]

+1000
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