Hey everyone! Hope you're all doing fine. I am wondering about the median SAT score at Stanford. What should I be aiming for and how do they weigh it against the rest of the admissions criteria? Any input would be massively helpful. Thanks!
Hello! Let's dive right in. The median SAT score typically hovers around 1540 for Stanford. That being said, Stanford does use a more holistic approach in its admissions process, which means that while test scores are important, they are just one piece of a larger picture that includes your grades, course rigor, essays, extracurriculars, and letters of recommendation.
An Academic Index is used by Stanford which represents the strength of a student’s grades, test scores, and class rank (if available). If your Academic Index is too low, your application may not be considered. But if you meet the Academic Index cutoff, you should at least get your application read. However, Stanford does not publicly release its Academic Index values. By comparing your academic profile to those of accepted students, you can get a sense if you fall in range.
While aiming for a competitive test score like a 1540 or higher can help your application, keep in mind the rest of your application needs to be as strong. Exemplary attendance or contribution in extracurricular activities showing a unique perspective, or a deep dedication to a cause can bolster your application.
When considering your SAT score, remember that it's the mean of all the test scores of admitted students, so depending on the strength of your application in other areas, there may be some flexibility.
Also, it's important to note that the 25th percentile of admitted students scored a 1500, which indicates that 25% of admitted students scored 1500 or below. Therefore, while a 1540 or above may increase your chances of admission, students are certainly admitted with lower scores. Don't dishearten if your score is below the median—just ensure your application is strong in all other areas!
Best of luck with your application!
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.