What's the next step with a 1050 SAT score?

So, my score came in - 1050 on the SAT. Trying to figure out just how good or bad this is. Should I retake the test or look into colleges with this score in mind?

Your SAT score of 1050 places you within the average range for numerous universities, and it's definitely possible to get admitted to a good school with a score in this range. However, more selective universities typically prefer higher scores. To provide a clearer picture, a 1050 SAT score places you around the 50th percentile of all test takers, which means you've scored better than about half of the students who took the test.

Whether you should re-take the test or not really depends on the admissions requirements of the colleges you're interested in. You'll want to research the middle 50% SAT scores at those schools. If your score is below that range, re-taking the test might be a beneficial move. If you're within or above that range, your current score could be sufficiently competitive.

That said, keep in mind that when preparing for a re-take, your score will only significantly improve with focused studying. Test prep resources like Khan Academy and the College Board's own materials can be particularly valuable for this. You might also consider hiring a tutor or enrolling in a prep course.

Lastly, it's important to remember that while test scores are a factor in college admissions, they don't tell the whole story. You'll also want to focus on maintaining a strong GPA, participating in meaningful extracurricular activities, and crafting compelling essays. These elements all play a role in the holistic admissions process.