Do Colleges Still Look at SAT Scores?

I got an okay-ish SAT score and I'm totally befuddled about whether or not colleges still consider it in their admissions process. Any guidance would be appreciated!

Yes, many colleges do still consider SAT scores as part of their admissions process. However, how heavily the SAT score is weighed can depend largely on the individual institution as well as any recent changes in their admissions policy.

During the COVID-19 pandemic (2019-2021), a large number of colleges shifted to a "test-optional" policy. This meant that students could choose whether or not to submit standardized test scores with their application, and those who didn't wouldn't be disadvantaged. Some schools have extended their test-optional policy into the 2024-2025 application cycle, including schools like Columbia University, Princeton University, Stanford University, University of Pennsylvania, Johns Hopkins University, New York University, and the University of Chicago.

However, some other colleges including Dartmouth, Harvard, Purdue, Brown, Yale, UT Austin, and Caltech have reversed course and returned to requiring test scores for the 2024-2025 cycle. It's important to check the admissions policy for each school you're applying to before sending your scores.

Furthermore, keep in mind that your SAT score is just one component of your application. Factors such as your GPA, high school curriculum rigor, extracurricular involvement, personal essays, and letters of recommendations all play an important role, too. For example, a competitive academic index (your grades, test scores if required by the school, and possible class rank) is essential at selective schools.

Regardless of a college's policy, if you're proud of your SAT score and you feel it represents your abilities well, don't hesitate to submit it!