Poison Ivy: 1350 SAT Better Than 1530 SAT?!

Some very selective colleges prefer a student at one school with a 1350 on the SAT over a student at another school with 1530 on the SAT. Learn one reason why in this video (and it's not test-optional admissions)!
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#sat
#ivyleague
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[@atheoristspointofview7059]

You being below average at a super good high school shows that you had a bunch of opportunities that you failed at taking advantage of. In a competitive environment you struggle. That doesn't and shouldn't look good to super competitive universities. That person at the lower school still wouldn't get looked at much unless they were the best or one of the best in their class. Even if they are in the 70th percentile of the school with a 1300 or whatever doesn't seem super good. If the 1300 was the highest at the school with the average being like 800 and 90th percentile being 1000 then that 1300 looks outstanding and it should. It proves that even in an environment that's difficult to achieve things they can do really well, so what can they do if they have a ton of help and opportunities.

[@matrixhousewife4779]

I’m sorry but you neglected to answer one important question: Would the 1530 SAT student have gotten a 1530 if he went to the other high school instead of the more prestigious one? I bet you that he probably would not And if the 1350 kid went to the more high achieving school he might have gotten a 1500+ too Why won’t high achieving kids don’t want to go to an underperforming school? Because environment has a huge effect too

[@stacysaunders7708]

Exactly!

[@KazaiChan]

Yup

[@luimulder3768]

Obviously the one kid that stands out in his or her high school gives me more trust that they're a leader than a middle of the packer in another high school. I like it when a college profiles themselves saying they admit students from all 50 states. It may be diversity but I also think of it as representation.

[@KazaiChan]

That example you gave of all the challenges the kid might have faced if he went to that "dangerous" public school where the parents were worried about his safety (wrong peer group, people doing bad things around the kid, etc) are all the reasons why ivies making sure to admit such kids is so important. A kid who gets through all of that, recognizes why it's a problem and ESPECIALLY if they've done things to improve that community, deserves all the clout and the position at the ivy over the kid with a 1530 who didn't have to overcome those challenges. And then what are the chances the kid with the 1530 from a different community comes back to take a positive leadership role in the aforementioned "dangerous" community in comparison to the 1350 kid?

[@Goodguy1ful]

Everything said in this clip seems pretty much accurate which is I think because college admissions at highly selective schools are far more an art than a science. It seems to me these colleges are only going to be somewhat impressed by elite stats ( test scores, GPAs) This is because elite stats are a dime a dozen to these schools as the top students from not just the US but Mexico, Nigeria, Chile, Japan, France, New Zealand etc apply to these elite colleges. So these colleges really only look at stats as a baseline indicator that a student can hold their school rigor,, but stats are rarely going to be the sole or even main reason a student was admitted. This is because these elite schools view themselves as ideally being more than just "high-income incubators." Sure, they would love and need a lot of students to go on to financial success if only for future alumni donations. But what they're also looking for are future innovators, creators, and thought leaders ... and I would suppose that these schools only have so much value in test scores in discerning what applicants might go on to be innovators, etc. What test scores tend to show most is what level of test prep resources a student has. I also have no problem with these schools looking at a student's life circumstances in the admission process and determining that a 1350 at one school might be just as impressive as a 1530 at another school. Schools, neighborhoods, etc obviously have different resources i.e. one school English class might have 10 students in it at a pristine campus ... while another might have 45 students in a class taught by a series of substitute teachers in a school where "student safety " is the school's number one challenge. I don't see a problem if an admissions officer looks at the overall impressive application of a student at a school with the lesser resources and determines that their Stats indicate that they can handle their college rigor --- and thrive with the greater available resources if admitted. I'm pretty sure that these processes tended to lead to lots of students with lower Sat scores ( or who chose the option of not submitting test scores ) having a tougher time at their college than Normal .. they would rethink this admission process. I would add that these highly selective school admission folks are also tasked with curating the needs of the school's culture and majors etc. So it may be that they select an amazing Viola player looking to be a music major with a 1410 SAT score over a Computer Science or Engineering or Pre Med so some other typically highly impacted major with a 1530. It also makes sense to me why these scrolls would strive for diversity ( Ethnic, gender, regional, class level, backgrounds, etc ). Not necessarily due to charity or some "Kumbaya " ideal .... but because diverse voices, perspectives, etc make for a better class discussion, etc on the diverse topics that will be explored in a student's four years in college .... that may not be as insightful an robust if admissions officers just selected the applicants with the highest 1,400 SAT scores, etc submitted.

[@KazaiChan]

preach

[@bolaball6143]

Thanks Greg for all the that you do. I must also thank you for your “how to get into WashU” video. I believe I watched that video a billion times fall 2022. My daughter’s dream about was WashU and because of your advice to ED, she did and also got into one of their signature scholar programs!She matriculated fall 2023, and have had no regrets!

[@CollegeMeister]

Congratulations!

[@luimulder3768]

Yeah, she did what she needed to do to go to a no regrets college. There were probably others, but then that's what achievement is all about. Congratulations

[@CliffWeng]

I applaud you for saying it out loud! The reality is actually worse than your scenarios. I have three children, and I notice a worsening trend year after year. I wish we were at the bottom of this darkness, with a brighter and more just future for our society. Your videos help lots of kids, really appreciate you for making them.

[@luimulder3768]

How can you have just when a selective college has to wait-list students who are just as capable as the admitted student? Not everyone with the same stats can get in, either! So then the question is what...how do you make it just for the student? The only honest answer would be to build more highly selective colleges, but we know that is not a likely scenario. Put on your britches, life isn't fair, but then again you go to where you were meant to be anyway.

[@PopOutGabriel]

honestly agree with the colleges

[@stacysaunders7708]

I agree with the idea that kids who navigate to the top of either type of school are achievers their past success is an indicator of drive and likely future success.

[@sevdakarimova6356]

What about international public schools outside of the US. I mean how would I know if my 1350 is enough? Nobody takes the SAT or the ACT at my school because nobody wants to apply to the US colleges. What do I do in that scenario

[@CollegeMeister]

You should work with a college counselor or college admissions coach who is able to help you clarify your best path forward in the context of your curriculum, environment, goals, and personal strengths/weaknesses. To learn more about my services, visit CollegeMeister.com. Good luck.

[@carlscott506]

Come on Craig, your peers tout they can add 100 to 200 points to your child’s SAT score with test prep. So, a 1530 might be a 1360 without test prep. Also, I hate how 1350 is considered a bad score and the student is somehow intellectually deficient compared to a 1500. This is one aspect of an academic career. You would hate to be judged by one aspect of your career.

[@a238859]

Thank you for speaking up about it!

[@thelearningchap8529]

hey i got deferred frm my safety (Purdue)....... my parents are now telling that I wasted their money applying to all ivies......... do u think I have a chance.......

[@CollegeMeister]

If you can't get into Purdue Early Action, that does not bode well for your chances at Ivies Regular Decision; however, anything is possible. Good luck!

[@thelearningchap8529]

@@CollegeMeister ohk thanks.

[@user-tn3be8yj4f]

I have a 1370 but didnt send it to my reaches (Yale, MIT, Harvard, U Penn, NYU, northeastern, Boston College, Boston University) or even University of Michigan.. excited to watch this video

[@mj-f7135]

Is MIT test optional?

[@saalllmmmmaaaa]

Why would you send it to BU or Michigan?

[@diegonunez4085]

@@mj-f7135nope they require act or sat

[@gilbydog7350]

@@mj-f7135 No ! They should expect a rejection from MIT.

[@stickygrenade]

Homeschool it is.

[@francestan70]

hahahah ITS DIVERSITY. The truth is not about the school you attend, but about the approach you take to your education. I remind my children not to stress if they don't get into a top 20 school. As an Asian American family who values education and resides in a safe, middle class suburban area, having a 1430 SAT score is defianlty not strong enough to help our applications, and could potentially reduce our chances to top colleges.