I'm working on improving my SAT scores and I'm aiming for Stanford. What SAT scores do most of their accepted students have? Should I try to score above their average?
Stanford is an incredibly competitive school when it comes to SAT scores. While they review applications holistically, having a strong SAT score can definitely help your chances. For Stanford's admitted students, the middle 50% SAT score range is 1500-1560 with a 50th percentile score of 1540.
If you want to be an even stronger applicant for Stanford, it would be ideal to aim for scores higher than their average admitted student. Aim for the upper end of the middle 50% range or even higher. However, remember that there is no magical cutoff for SAT scores, as a multitude of factors contribute to an application's evaluation like course rigor, extracurricular involvement, recommendations, and essays.
Don't forget to consider other aspects of your applications well–balanced academic profiles, unique extracurricular activities, and compelling personal statements can all contribute to a more competitive overall application.
Best of luck with your SAT preparation and college applications!
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