What SAT scores does USC generally look for?

Hi folks, trying to understand USC's admission standards for SAT scores. What kind of scores are they expecting from applicants? Any insights would be great.

USC, or the University of Southern California, is considered a highly selective institution. For the 2024-2025 application cycle, USC is test-optional, meaning they will review applications with or without standardized test scores. However, if you choose to submit scores, it'll be helpful to know what's considered competitive.

Historically, before USC went test-optional, the middle 50% SAT scores for admitted students at USC typically fell between 1460 and 1540 out of 1600. This range doesn't tell the whole story though. Remember, 25% of students admitted scored above this range and another 25% scored below it.

Should you choose to submit your scores, a score above 1460 would generally make your application more competitive. However, if your score falls below this range, it doesn’t necessarily disqualify you. USC also tends to look favorably upon strong GPAs, advanced coursework, engaging extracurricular activities, and dynamic essays and recommendations. If one or more of those areas are particularly strong, they may offset a lower test score.

Lastly, if you're not confident in your SAT scores and feel the rest of your application better represents you as a student and a person, remember that you can apply test-optional to USC for the 2024-2025 application cycle. That means they will not consider SAT or ACT scores as part of your application.