Inquiring about Stanford's SAT policy

I've been meticulously doing research on the application requirements of my dream school, Stanford! Does anyone know if Stanford currently requires the SAT? Also, if my SAT score isn't really in the top percentile, should I still submit it or would it hurt my chances?

Stanford University is test-optional for the 2024-2025 admissions cycle. This means that you have the option to submit your SAT scores, but it's not strictly required. The policy is intended to reduce stress for applicants and improve accessibility, especially given the challenges many students have experienced with testing availability during the pandemic.

If you do decide to take the SAT and are considering whether or not to submit your scores, it's helpful to look at the academic profile of recent admitted classes to Stanford. While these statistics might not be a precise indicator of what applicants in this cycle should aim for, it can give you a rough idea of where your scores might have to fall to be considered competitive. Stanford hasn't published exact SAT percentiles for admitted students, but successful applicants frequently have very strong scores.

To answer your specific question about whether to submit scores that aren't in the top percentile, a general rule of thumb is to submit your SAT scores if they are around or above the average scores of admitted students. For Stanford, the 25th percentile stands at 1500, while the 75th percentile is at 1580. This means that 25% of students had SAT scores below 1500, and another 25% had scores above 1580. The remaining 50% fell between these two scores.

Stanford has a holistic review process, and many factors beyond just test scores are taken into consideration when making admissions decisions. These include your academic record, extracurricular activities, leadership roles, and essays. So, even if your scores are lower than what you hoped, other aspects of your application may shine through.

Remember, if you choose to not submit scores, that doesn't mean you're any less likely to be admitted. The admissions committee will place more emphasis on the other components of your application. On the flip side, if you do decide to submit them, a lower score doesn't automatically disqualify you. It's all about what makes you feel most confident in your application. Good luck with your process!