Should You Retake the SAT for a Higher Essay Score if You’re Applying to Prestigious Universities?

Applying to prestigious universities such as Stanford and MIT can be a challenging process, where student motivation and academic performance must be carefully considered. One of the critical components for many applicants is standardized test scores, particularly the SAT. If you've scored a 1550 superscore on the SAT and a 6/5/6 on the essay section, you might wonder whether the effort of retaking the exam to improve your essay score is worth it. This article aims to provide guidance on this decision by breaking down the factors you need to consider.

The Current Scenario

According to Lee, who recently took the SAT and now questions whether he should retake it, scoring a 1550 with a 6/5/6 in the essay section can be confusing. Stanford, MIT, and Harvard are among the top universities he is aiming to apply to.

Is a 1550 superscore on the SAT good enough?

While a 1550 superscore is considered excellent, especially when combined with a 6/5/6 on the essay section, there is no guarantee that it will set you apart from other applicants. Many highly ranked universities do not even recommend taking the SAT essay section anymore, as it is not mandatory and might provide an incomplete picture of a student's potential.

Colleges No Longer Require or Recommend the SAT Essay

A review of the colleges that require SAT essay reveals that a majority of prestigious institutions no longer consider this section a necessity. Universities like Stanford, MIT, and Harvard specifically do not recommend or even list the essay section on their application forms. This non-recommendation is due to recognized flaws in the SAT essay’s design and grading process, which can lead to inconsistent results.

For context, the average essay score in 2020 was a 5/4/5. Therefore, a score of 5/4/6, while not super impressive, is still on the higher end of the scale. Moreover, the Analysis score, which is a critical component of the essay assessment, showed that the average score was a 3 out of 8, with many students receiving a 2 out of 8. This indicates that the essay section is not a major differentiator for most students.

Decision to Retake or Not

Given the current situation, it might be tempting to retake the SAT essay section in hopes of improving your score. However, there are several considerations to keep in mind.

Pros of Retaking the SAT Essay

Improvement is Possible: If you are confident and can perform better, retaking the essay section can potentially yield a higher score. Complementing Holistic Review: Some colleges still look at the essay score as part of their holistic review. A higher score can potentially complement other strong aspects of your application.

Cons of Retaking the SAT Essay

Risk of Lower Scores: There is a risk that you might score lower on the retake, which could detract from your application. Completeness of Your Application: Colleges will see both scores, so having a mixed bag of results can be disadvantageous. Time and Effort: Preparing for and taking the SAT again requires significant time and effort, which could be better spent on other aspects of your application such as extracurricular activities and research.

Conclusion

When deciding whether to retake the SAT essay section, consider the following points:

Review the universities’ requirements: Check if the colleges you are applying to require or recommend the SAT essay section. Assess your potential for improvement: If you believe you can significantly improve your score, it may be worth the effort. Focus on other aspects: If taking the exam again poses a high risk of scoring lower or consuming too much of your time, focus on improving other parts of your application.

Remember, colleges like Stanford, MIT, and Harvard do not require or recommend the SAT essay. They look at a holistic range of factors when making admissions decisions. So, while a strong SAT score is important, it is not the only factor in your application. Focus on highlighting your unique strengths and experiences that set you apart from other applicants.

Finally, always be respectful of the institutions you are applying to. Terms like “T20” for Harvard and Princeton are not appropriate and can come across as derogatory. Instead, use descriptors like “T10” or “T3” when discussing these top-tier universities.