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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)

Is a 1370 SAT score a solid basis for applying to top colleges?

Hi everyone, I recently got my SAT results and scored a 1370. Is this a strong score to submit when applying to top colleges, or should I consider retaking the test? Please share your experiences and insights! Thank you!

9 months ago

Hi there! A 1370 SAT score is a good score, but it might fall below the average scores of admitted students at top colleges. Highly selective colleges typically have average SAT scores in the 1450-1550 range. While colleges use a holistic review process where many factors contribute to your overall application, a higher SAT score can definitely make you a more competitive applicant.

That being said, many colleges have adopted test-optional policies in recent years, which allow you to choose whether or not to submit test scores as part of your application. If you think the rest of your application (GPA, extracurriculars, essays) is strong and showcases your abilities well, you could potentially apply to top colleges without submitting your SAT score. However, if you feel that your SAT score could help boost your application, it could be worth retaking the test.

If you want more detailed guidance on whether submitting your SAT score would be a good idea, I'd recommend checking out this blog post from CollegeVine, which provides a comprehensive overview of how to navigate test-optional policies: https://blog.collegevine.com/does-test-optional-mean-test-optional

Consider taking several practice tests and utilizing online resources to identify the areas where you may need to improve. If you're consistently scoring higher on practice tests, you could benefit from retaking the SAT. Many students find that their scores improve after taking the test multiple times. But if you think you're unlikely to do significantly better, you'd likely be better off focusing on other areas of your application which are more likely to boost your odds.

If you want to get a concrete sense of how much a higher SAT score would help you, I would suggest using CollegeVine's free chancing engine, which accounts for all quantifiable aspects of your application, including grades, course rigor, extracurriculars, and test scores to give you personalized odds of acceptance at hundreds of colleges around the country: https://www.collegevine.com/admissions-calculator/. You can experiment with entering slightly higher SAT scores, to see how much of a difference a score of, say, 1400 would help you.

Ultimately, the decision to retake the test depends on your goals and the strength of your overall application. Good luck with your college applications!

9 months ago

About CollegeVine’s Expert FAQ

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.