Skip to main content
What are your chances of acceptance?
Your chance of acceptance
Duke University
Loading…
UCLA
Loading…
+ add school
Your chancing factors
Unweighted GPA: 3.7
1.0
4.0
SAT: 720 math
200
800
| 800 verbal
200
800

Extracurriculars

Low accuracy (4 of 18 factors)

Is a 1250 SAT score competitive enough?

Hello! I recently got my SAT score back and it's a 1250. I'm a bit confused about whether this score is good for applying to colleges or not. Would you guys mind sharing your opinions on whether this score is competitive enough or if I should consider retaking the SAT? I'd really appreciate the help!

8 months ago

A 1250 SAT score is considered average and could be competitive for some colleges, but might fall below the typical range for more selective institutions. To determine whether this score is sufficient, you should research the middle 50% SAT score range for the colleges you're interested in. You can typically find this information on the college's admission website or through resources like CollegeVine. If your score falls within or near the middle 50% range, it should be competitive enough for that particular school.

However, if your score is below the middle 50% range, you might want to consider retaking the SAT, especially if you're aiming for more selective colleges. Improving your score can increase your chances of admission and potentially qualify you for merit-based scholarships.

Before making a decision, consider factors like the amount of time you have before application deadlines and your ability to dedicate time to prepare for your retake. If you feel confident that you can improve your score with adequate preparation, retaking the SAT might be a good idea. Additionally, since many colleges accept test scores from different test dates, they will often consider your highest score, which helps justify the decision to retake.

However, don't forget that your SAT score is just one part of your application. Factors like your GPA, course rigor, extracurricular activities, essays, and recommendation letters all contribute to your overall applicant profile. Give each of these components the attention they deserve, as a well-rounded application can still be competitive even if your SAT score might be slightly lower than preferred.

8 months ago

About CollegeVine’s Expert FAQ

CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.