Good SAT Score: What's Considered Competitive?

Hey everyone, I'm trying to figure out what would be considered a good SAT score as I'm preparing for the test. What score range would make my application competitive for top colleges? Any insights or advice would be helpful!

To determine what's considered a competitive SAT score for top colleges, we can look at the 25th and 75th percentile scores of admitted students. Keep in mind that these percentiles represent the middle 50% of admitted students, meaning that 25% scored below the 25th percentile, and 25% scored above the 75th percentile. Here's a brief overview of some top colleges and their SAT score ranges:

1. Ivy League schools: Generally, a competitive SAT score for Ivy League institutions in recent years falls between 1530 and 1600.

2. Top liberal arts colleges: For schools like Amherst College and Williams College, SAT scores between 1470 and 1580 are considered competitive.

3. Highly selective universities: For institutions like MIT, Stanford, and Caltech, SAT scores in the range of 1500 to 1570+ are typically competitive.

4. Highly ranked public universities: For top public schools, such as University of Virginia and University of Michigan, competitive SAT scores usually fall between 1350 and 1530.

Keep in mind that these are general ranges, and individual schools may have slightly different score expectations. Additionally, admissions at top colleges rely on a holistic review, which considers not only test scores but also factors like grades, extracurricular activities, personal essays, and recommendation letters. Achieving a competitive SAT score will certainly help your application, but it should be complemented by a strong overall profile to maximize your chances of admission.

To get a better idea of whether your SAT score is competitive for a specific college, visit the school's admissions website to view statistics on admitted students' test scores and academic profiles. This will give you a better understanding of the range of scores that are typically accepted by that institution.