Anonymous
Post 06/08/2026 10:04     Subject: Re:Top 10 (not MIT or Cal Tech) schools SAT

OP just worry too much, keep in mind, for test option colleges, 1570 of top 75% are just those submitted.
1560 is very competitive score, and more than enough for T10. I know plenty of kids(lot of Asian without hook) into T10 with 1550-, while 1600 only get you to UVA.

Even for MIT or CalTech, 1560 is enough, it's your whole package matters.
Anonymous
Post 06/08/2026 09:51     Subject: Top 10 (not MIT or Cal Tech) schools SAT

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I would retake for MIT and Caltech, and have my kid spend their energy elsewhere for other t10.


lol no


Why not? If math section is 760 and verbal is 800, I would.


Because you are under the false impression that most getting into MIT, for example, have over a 1560 SAT. 1560 is just fine spend the time, focus and energy working on other elements of application and activities etc.
Anonymous
Post 06/07/2026 23:49     Subject: Top 10 (not MIT or Cal Tech) schools SAT

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I would retake for MIT and Caltech, and have my kid spend their energy elsewhere for other t10.


lol no


Why not? If math section is 760 and verbal is 800, I would.


Yes this is the advice we got with a near perfect score. If going for MIT, you want perfect math or as close as possible.
Anonymous
Post 06/07/2026 23:47     Subject: Top 10 (not MIT or Cal Tech) schools SAT

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I would retake for MIT and Caltech, and have my kid spend their energy elsewhere for other t10.


lol no


Why not? If math section is 760 and verbal is 800, I would.
Anonymous
Post 06/07/2026 23:11     Subject: Re:Top 10 (not MIT or Cal Tech) schools SAT

Anonymous wrote:Mine got 35 and refused to retake and was fine. But I think even scores or slightly higher non STEM if STEM ( mine had 36R and is STEM) helped. If uneven I'd retake.


Oh my goodness. please stop
Anonymous
Post 06/07/2026 19:40     Subject: Top 10 (not MIT or Cal Tech) schools SAT

Depends. If the kid took SAT cold with zero prep. Then spend a couple of hours and give it another shot.
Anonymous
Post 06/07/2026 17:31     Subject: Top 10 (not MIT or Cal Tech) schools SAT

Anonymous wrote:Don’t think with a 1560 will be the reason kid got rejected from T10. Most likely essay/ECs that wasn’t a “fit”


Exactly.

How focused is the narrative? How has your DC lived their values? Are the values evident in the ECs, essays and LOR and do they match what the school is looking for?

Better off focusing on this and ensuring you’ve hit the 8 dimensions/elements AOs are generally looking for when scoring.
Anonymous
Post 06/07/2026 17:27     Subject: Re:Top 10 (not MIT or Cal Tech) schools SAT

Mine got 35 and refused to retake and was fine. But I think even scores or slightly higher non STEM if STEM ( mine had 36R and is STEM) helped. If uneven I'd retake.
Anonymous
Post 06/07/2026 17:00     Subject: Top 10 (not MIT or Cal Tech) schools SAT

Don’t think with a 1560 will be the reason kid got rejected from T10. Most likely essay/ECs that wasn’t a “fit”
Anonymous
Post 06/07/2026 16:52     Subject: Top 10 (not MIT or Cal Tech) schools SAT

Anonymous wrote:I would retake for MIT and Caltech, and have my kid spend their energy elsewhere for other t10.


lol no
Anonymous
Post 06/07/2026 16:39     Subject: Top 10 (not MIT or Cal Tech) schools SAT

What exactly is Top 10??
Anonymous
Post 06/07/2026 16:14     Subject: Top 10 (not MIT or Cal Tech) schools SAT

My kid got a 1560, is applying to these schools, but is not retaking. They’re such long shots, kid is busy, and he’d rather focus on other aspects of his applications.
Anonymous
Post 06/07/2026 15:51     Subject: Top 10 (not MIT or Cal Tech) schools SAT

I would retake for MIT and Caltech, and have my kid spend their energy elsewhere for other t10.
Anonymous
Post 06/07/2026 15:47     Subject: Top 10 (not MIT or Cal Tech) schools SAT

Close enough. Your kid's accept/reject won't depend on her SAT score.
Anonymous
Post 06/07/2026 15:45     Subject: Top 10 (not MIT or Cal Tech) schools SAT

My DD is interested in 4 T10 schools with a 1560 SAT - unhooked. Is it worth it to take the SAT again to get to the 75th percentile # for the schools (2 of which have 1570 as the 75th) or does 10 or 20 points not make a difference once you are at or above the 50th percentile?