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What are the minimum SAT scores for different colleges?

I'm beginning to research colleges and I was wondering what the minimum SAT scores are for different schools. I know it varies by institution, but is there a general range or list somewhere that provides this information?

9 months ago

While it's true that minimum SAT score requirements can vary greatly by institution, many schools no longer have strict cutoff scores. Instead, they employ a more holistic review of applicants, considering factors such as GPA, course rigor, extracurricular activities, personal essays, and letters of recommendation in addition to test scores.

That being said, it's still helpful to be aware of the middle 50% SAT score range for admitted students at different colleges, which can give you an idea of the typical score profile for students at a particular institution. The middle 50% SAT scores represent the range of SAT scores achieved by the middle 50% of admitted students, meaning that 25% of students scored below that range and 25% scored above it. Keep in mind that these scores are not strict cutoffs, and some students with lower scores may still be admitted due to the holistic review process.

For highly-selective schools, the middle 50% SAT scores are generally above 1400. As you consider colleges with lower selectivity, you'll find that the middle 50% range often drops to the 1200s or even lower.

Here are a few examples of middle 50% SAT score ranges for different types of schools:

1. Ivy League: Harvard University (1460-1580), Princeton University (1440-1570), Yale University (1420-1560)

2. Highly-selective private universities: Stanford University (1420-1570), Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1510-1580), University of Chicago (1480-1560)

3. Public universities: University of California, Los Angeles (1240-1510), University of Michigan (1310-1510), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (1310-1480)

4. Liberal arts colleges: Swarthmore College (1420-1560), Amherst College (1400-1550), Williams College (1410-1550)

Remember that these middle 50% ranges can change from year to year and vary greatly between colleges. It's essential to research the specific schools you're interested in to determine the typical SAT score profile of their admitted students. Keep in mind that if your score falls below the middle 50% range for a particular school, it doesn't necessarily mean you won't be admitted, especially if you have other strong aspects of your application.

In summary, there isn't a one-size-fits-all minimum SAT score for different colleges, but researching the middle 50% SAT ranges for specific schools can give you a general idea of where you should aim for your score.

9 months ago

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