Harvard and SAT scores: how high should I aim?

I'm gunning for Harvard, no less! But boy, am I stressed about my SAT score. What's the typical score range for admitted students? I'd appreciate knowing so I can set a realistic goal for myself.

For a highly selective school like Harvard, your SAT score is certainly an important factor that the admissions officers will consider. Harvard has not disclosed a minimum SAT score requirement, but if you look at the scores of accepted students, the majority typically have a combined Math and Evidence-Based Reading and Writing score that's well above 1400.

In fact, based on the most recent data, the middle 50% score range for admitted Harvard students falls between around 1500 and 1580 out of a potential 1600. This statistic means that 25% of accepted students scored below 1500, another 25% scored above 1580, and the remaining 50% fell within this range.

Striving for a score in this range can be a good goal for you, and if you can get your score closer to the higher end, it could potentially make your application even more impressive. However, bear in mind that your SAT score is just one piece of the puzzle and other factors—such as GPA, course rigor, extracurricular activities—also play big roles in making your application stand out. At a school as selective as Harvard, no single factor will get you in on its own.

If you want to know how your application as a whole stacks up at Harvard, I'd check out CollegeVine's free chancing engine, which accounts for all quantifiable elements of your application, including not just test scores but also GPA, course rigor, and extracurriculars to give you personalized odds of acceptance at Harvard and hundreds of other colleges: https://www.collegevine.com/admissions-calculator

This tool will also give you suggestions on how to improve your chances, whether by raising your SAT score slightly or some other step, like earning a leadership position in one of your extracurriculars.

Or, if you want tips on how to strengthen the more intangible aspects of your application, I'd check out this blog post from CollegeVine, which breaks down how to tackle Harvard's school-specific supplemental essays: https://blog.collegevine.com/how-to-write-the-harvard-university-essays/. Especially at highly selective schools like Harvard, the essays are a great opportunity to showcase what you have to offer beyond the numbers.

Good luck with your preparation and application!