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What are your chances of acceptance?
Your chance of acceptance
Duke University
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UCLA
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Your chancing factors
Unweighted GPA: 3.7
1.0
4.0
SAT: 720 math
200
800
| 800 verbal
200
800

Extracurriculars

Low accuracy (4 of 18 factors)

Will a 1420 SAT score help me stand out among applicants?

Hey! I received a 1420 SAT score, and I am curious if that could give me a strong chance when applying to more selective schools. Should I focus on improving other aspects of my application, or would it be worth retaking the test to boost my chances even more?

9 months ago

Hello! Whether a 1420 SAT score will help you stand out among applicants depends on the specific schools you're targeting. For some colleges, a 1420 may be competitive and above their average accepted SAT score, while for more selective schools, it may be slightly below their average.

To determine if your score is competitive for the colleges you are interested in, look up the middle 50% SAT score range for admitted students at those schools. If your score falls within or above that range, you may be considered a strong applicant in terms of SAT scores. If your score is below the range, it might be worth retaking the test to improve your chances.

That said, remember that standardized test scores are just one part of the admissions process. Many schools consider multiple factors such as GPA, course rigor, extracurricular activities, essays, and letters of recommendation. So, even if your SAT score is competitive, it's important to also focus on strengthening other aspects of your application.

If you feel confident in your other application components and believe that a higher SAT score could significantly improve your overall application, it may be worth retaking the test. However, keep in mind that the marginal benefits typically decrease beyond a certain point, so depending on the schools you're interested in, it might be more valuable to focus your efforts on refining your essays or participating in meaningful extracurricular activities.

In summary, your decision to retake the SAT should be based on the competitiveness of your score in relation to the schools you're targeting, as well as an assessment of your overall application. Good luck with your college applications!

9 months ago

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CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.