Hey y'all, I've been thinking about applying to the University of Virginia and I'm really curious about their SAT average. What score would increase my chances at getting in? I want to get a feel for the competitive range. Thanks!
As of the latest data available, the middle 50% SAT scores for admitted students at the University of Virginia (UVA) range from approximately 1400 to 1540. This statistic means that 25% of admitted students scored below a 1400, 25% scored above a 1540, and the remaining 50% fell within this range. Please note that these are approximate scores and they vary slightly from year to year.
While falling within or above that range is generally beneficial, UVA takes a holistic approach to admission and considers various factors beyond your SAT score. They will also take into account your high school curriculum, your grades, your extracurricular accomplishments, your essays, and letters of recommendation. Furthermore, you should focus on showcasing your fit with UVA's specific programs and community in your application.
Additionally, it's worth noting that UVA is officially test-optional, so you actually are not required to submit an SAT (or ACT) score. However, you're smart to still be thinking about target SAT scores, as UVA is quite selective, which means you generally want to showcase your strengths in as many ways as possible. For detailed guidance on how to navigate test-optional policies, check out this blog post from CollegeVine: https://blog.collegevine.com/does-test-optional-mean-test-optional
For guidance on how to strengthen your overall application to UVA, you can also check out this post, which breaks down how to tackle UVA's school-specific supplemental essays: https://blog.collegevine.com/how-to-write-the-university-of-virginia-essays/. The essays are a great opportunity to showcase what you have to offer beyond the numbers.
Of course, achieving a score within or above the middle 50% range will definitely make you a more competitive candidate at UVA. Just remember to balance this goal with other aspects of your application. Good luck!
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