UGA SAT and Testing Info

Greetings, all. I'm going through my SAT prep right now and thinking about applying to University of Georgia. Does anyone know what they typically look for in SAT scores, or how heavily they weigh them?

The University of Georgia, like many other universities, employs a holistic review process for applicant evaluation, which means they look beyond test scores to consider an applicant's performance in various areas including high school GPA, rigor of high school courses, extracurricular involvement, leadership roles, and personal essays.

However, test scores do play a significant role in UGA's admission decisions. As of recent data, the middle 50% SAT scores ranged from 1310 to 1470, which gives a ballpark figure of what the university typically expects. If your score falls within or above this range, your chances of admission could be seen as favorable, all other factors being equal.

Remember, though, that scoring at or above the typical range doesn't guarantee admission, as UGA looks at other factors beyond just test scores. Additionally, if your score falls below this range, it doesn't completely rule out your chances of being accepted. Other strong aspects of your application could still be weighed favorably. Study and aim for the highest score you can achieve, but make sure to devote adequate time to your essays, extracurriculars, and other facets of your application.

As for how heavily UGA weighs the SAT, the university categorizes test scores as an "Important" part of its admissions process - less significant than the "Very Important" GPA and course rigor, but more important than recommendations, extracurriculars, essays, which are ranked as merely "considered." So, you'll definitely want to aim high on the SAT, as outside of your high school transcript, your SAT score is the most influential factor UGA admissions officers consider.

If you want to know how your application as a whole stacks up at UGA, I'd check out CollegeVine's free chancing engine, which accounts for all quantifiable elements of your application, including not just test scores but also GPA, course rigor, and extracurriculars to give you personalized odds of acceptance at UGA and hundreds of other colleges: https://www.collegevine.com/admissions-calculator

This tool will also give you suggestions on how to improve your chances, whether by raising your SAT score slightly or some other step, like earning a leadership position in one of your extracurriculars.

Or, if you want tips on how to strengthen the more intangible aspects of your application, I'd check out this blog post from CollegeVine, which breaks down how to tackle UGA's school-specific supplemental essays: https://blog.collegevine.com/how-to-write-the-university-of-georgia-essays/. The essays are a great opportunity to showcase what you have to offer beyond the numbers.

Finally, remember that if you don't do as well as you'd like to on your first SAT, retakes are always an option - plenty of students take two tries to earn a score they're pleased with. Good luck with your preparation and application process!