Help - got a 1130 SAT score!

Hi everyone! I just got my SAT score and it's 1130. What range of schools should I be targeting? Do I have a shot at competitive schools if I have really good extracurriculars and essays? Any advice appreciated!

Hello! An SAT score of 1130 places you in the range of average to slightly above average test-takers. To give you an idea of where you stand, you can look at the 25th and 75th percentile SAT scores for schools on your list. For schools where your score falls within or near these percentiles, you'll be more competitive.

While your score might make it more challenging to get into highly competitive schools, this does not completely rule out your chances at those schools. Many colleges practice holistic admissions, meaning they consider other factors on your application besides your SAT score. If you have strong extracurriculars, essays, and recommendation letters, you can still make a compelling case for your acceptance.

I recommend applying to a mix of schools, categorized as target, reach, and safety schools based on your test scores and grades. Target schools are those where your academic profile closely matches the average admitted student; reach schools have more competitive admission standards, so it's less likely you'll be admitted but still worth trying; and safety schools have admission standards that you clearly exceed, ensuring a high likelihood of admission.

Additionally, you might want to seek out test-optional schools, which don't require SAT or ACT scores for admission. These colleges may be more likely to evaluate your application based on your other strengths, such as extracurriculars and essays.

Lastly, if you feel that your SAT score does not accurately represent your abilities, you can potentially retake the exam after some additional preparation or consider opting for the ACT instead, as some students find that they perform better on one test over the other. Good luck with your college applications!