Worried about 1270 SAT score - Is it good enough?

Hi everyone, I recently got my SAT results and scored a 1270. I don't know if it's good enough to apply for competitive colleges. Any insights, assistance, or general advice would be greatly appreciated.

A 1270 SAT score is a solid achievement and falls in the around 85th percentile of all test takers. However, whether it's "good enough" really depends on the specific colleges you're targeting and the overall strength of your application.

For highly selective schools, the average SAT scores of accepted students tend to be higher. For instance at MIT, the middle 50% range of SAT scores for accepted students tends to hover around 1520-1580. It's important to remember though that there's a lot more to your application than just your SAT score. Your GPA, coursework, extra-curricular activities, essays, and recommendations also carry significant weight.

If you're aiming for colleges on the more selective end and feel discontent with your SAT score, it might be worth considering a retake. There are abundant resources, both online and in-person, that can assist with test preparation. Just remember, it's not solely about the numbers; a student's passion, drive, and character are equally important when universities are making decisions.

Lastly, consider applying to colleges that are test-optional. Amid the pandemic, many universities including Stanford, Princeton, and UChicago have adopted a test-optional policy allowing students to apply without submitting SAT or ACT scores.

The key is to balance your list of colleges to include reach, match, and safety schools, and remember, you're more than just a test score!