You probably want a 780+ math for STEM at T25. What about verbal though? Is a 720+ good enough?

How do any of you know this with so much certainty!!?? Are you on admissions committees? Or just guessing based on your own child’s admission … with that exact score, to those types of schools? I tend to agree that it probably doesn’t matter but I really have zero idea. I’m curious how people can have such strong views here.

According to MIT website, their 25th percentile in SAT math is 780.

DC’s HS college counselor (strong public HS in affluent Midwest suburb) said to submit anything over 1500 but that 1550 is preferred target for the T10-25 schools DC is applying to for engineering/finance.

Anonymous wrote:For engineering, math 800 is preferred

This is neither accurate nor relevant

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For engineering, math 800 is preferred

Yes, straight As and a 1600 is preferred but the difference between 790 and 800 math will not move the needle on admissions.

This is just not correct.

It is correct because colleges seek out perfect scores and GPAs to report to USNWR and other ranking services and every spring to alums.

Anonymous wrote:Dartmouth put together a study showing why it will once again require the SAT. As part of that study, they showed admissions rates by SAT score. From 1500 to the high 1500s (say, 1580) the probability of being admitted roughly doubled. This was true both for advantaged and disadvantaged students. For advantaged students it probably went from 0.1 to 0.2, for disadvantaged a bit higher. A 1500 is obviously very good, but go to the high 1500s and there are going to be a lot fewer applicants at that level. So seemingly it helps.

But you’re mistaking correlation for causation.

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For engineering, math 800 is preferred

lol

don't LOL the PP is correct 800 is preferred for all elite/ivy engineering.

This is true not only for Ivy, but for top state universities engineering programs as well. Cal, UIUC, UCLA, etc.

Cal and UCLA are test blind. They won’t know if you have 800 math or a 600.

So if anyone asks…just tell them you got an 800…maybe 825 because you answered the extra credit question.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For engineering, math 800 is preferred

lol

don't LOL the PP is correct 800 is preferred for all elite/ivy engineering.

This is true not only for Ivy, but for top state universities engineering programs as well. Cal, UIUC, UCLA, etc.

Cal and UCLA are test blind. They won’t know if you have 800 math or a 600.

My DD got 770 math and 790 reading, yet she really wants to study math, specifically at a top 10 university. I have nudged her that she may have an easier admission if she doesn't declare a major at all, or provided a less "STEM" major such as linguistics (she enjoys foreign languages and computer coding) but she thinks that is dishonest.

I hope for her sake that "800 or bust" is a lie and she wins the lottery into a really great school. OTOH, my pocketbook will be happy if she ends up at a "lesser" public school or a private that provides merit.

BTW, I've heard that only MIT really cares about hitting the 800. And as I remind my kid-- lots of amazing schools out there besides MIT.

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Anonymous wrote:What are your thoughts?
My kid has a 1530/790 math. Has applied to study data science or sociology.
Grades and extracurriculars are very strong.
Would a 1530 vs a 1550 or 1560 matter?
Debating taking the SAT one last time for regular decision apps.

IMO, nope. 1520+ is normally the "cut off" for making it to the next round (give or take) And since Data Science---kid already has a 790 Math, so very strong. I'd focus on strong essays and just letting the kid relax.

What's the difference between a 1520 and 1510/1500?

not much difference. But then you have to think 1600 vs 1500. Who knows exactly where the cutoff is. But our College counselors suggested 1520+ and a 780+ math for top schools (if STEM major). So up to you to decide what is enough. But at 1560, no way would I have my kid retake (unless it was a first try and they wanted to put effort into attempting a perfect score---it would all need to come from the kid at that point)

So what if you have 800 math and only 1510 total? 🙃

it is ok /passable for ivy/elite. schools look at both scores to see if they are in range(with pre-TO ranges), not a total. Each score matters. 710 is at or near the 25th%ile pre-TO for almost all elites.

A 1530/790 math is totally fine everywhere, even for engineering. No need to retake. The average numbers in recent years have been distorted because of covid and test optional. Things are returning to normal. And no school is rejecting a kid because they only scored in the 99th percentile. Use the time to focus on ECs, essays, and everything else that makes for a strong application.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What are your thoughts?
My kid has a 1530/790 math. Has applied to study data science or sociology.
Grades and extracurriculars are very strong.
Would a 1530 vs a 1550 or 1560 matter?
Debating taking the SAT one last time for regular decision apps.

IMO, nope. 1520+ is normally the "cut off" for making it to the next round (give or take) And since Data Science---kid already has a 790 Math, so very strong. I'd focus on strong essays and just letting the kid relax.

What's the difference between a 1520 and 1510/1500?

not much difference. But then you have to think 1600 vs 1500. Who knows exactly where the cutoff is. But our College counselors suggested 1520+ and a 780+ math for top schools (if STEM major). So up to you to decide what is enough. But at 1560, no way would I have my kid retake (unless it was a first try and they wanted to put effort into attempting a perfect score---it would all need to come from the kid at that point)

So what if you have 800 math and only 1510 total? 🙃

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For engineering, math 800 is preferred

lol

don't LOL the PP is correct 800 is preferred for all elite/ivy engineering.

This is true not only for Ivy, but for top state universities engineering programs as well. Cal, UIUC, UCLA, etc.

Anonymous wrote:For engineering, math 800 is preferred

baloney!