Is a 960 SAT score good?

Hi! I recently received my SAT score of 960, and I'm not sure how it compares to other applicants. Should I be worried? Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you!

A 960 SAT score is below the national average, which is around 1060. However, the significance of your score depends on the colleges you're targeting and the rest of your application profile. If you're aiming for highly selective schools, a 960 SAT score might be a cause for concern, as those schools typically have higher score averages for admitted students. On the other hand, if you're considering less competitive schools, a 960 might be within their accepted student ranges.

My advice is to research the middle 50% SAT scores of the schools you're interested in to understand how your score compares to those of admitted students. If your score falls below that range, you may want to explore options like test-optional schools or consider retaking the SAT if you believe you can improve your score with additional practice.

Remember that colleges evaluate applicants holistically, considering various factors like GPA, course rigor, extracurriculars, essays, and letters of recommendation. Although your SAT score is important, it's only one component of your application. Demonstrating strong performance in other areas, like participating in impressive extracurriculars or writing compelling essays, can help offset a lower SAT score.

Lastly, make sure to have a balanced list of colleges, including reach, target, and safety schools, to increase your chances of receiving admissions offers.