Comparing Colleges by SAT Scores

Hey everyone! I'm currently a junior, and I'm trying to create a list of colleges to apply to later this year. I was wondering if there's a way to compare colleges based on their average SAT scores or something like that. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Hey there! That's a solid approach to start creating your college list. One way to compare colleges based on average SAT scores is to look at each institution's Common Data Set. The Common Data Set (CDS) provides valuable information about the admitted student profile at a particular college, including the 25th and 75th percentile SAT scores.

Here's a brief overview of how to access and use the Common Data Set:

1. To find the common data set for a specific college, you can try searching "[college name] common data set" on your favorite search engine. Most colleges publish them on their websites, but it might take a bit of digging to find it.

2. Once you've found the CDS for a college, navigate to the "Admissions" section (usually Section C). There, you'll find information on the 25th and 75th percentile SAT scores for admitted students.

3. Jot down the SAT score ranges for each college you're interested in. This will give you a general idea of what SAT scores are competitive for each institution.

4. Comparing these scores will help you create a list of reach, target, and safety schools.

Aside from the Common Data Set, you can also use resources college websites, which often provide information on the college's test score ranges and admission rates. Remember, though, that colleges look at more than just SAT scores for admissions decisions, so it's always important to consider other factors such as extracurricular involvement, essays, and GPA when creating your list.

Best of luck with your college search!