Hi everyone! I am starting with my SAT prep and was wondering, what's considered a good SAT score? I'm targeting top colleges, so I'd like to understand what score I should aim for. Appreciate any advice!
Happy to help! For most top colleges (like Ivy League institutions and similarly competitive schools), you will want to aim for an SAT score above the 75th percentile for an optimal chance of acceptance. If you look at the colleges' profile of accepted students, a score in the top quartile often falls around 1530 or higher. This number may slightly vary for each school, but it's a good figure to keep in mind.
Remember, a high SAT score is just one part of your application. Having a strong GPA, taking rigorous AP courses, and participating in meaningful extracurriculars are also significant components. An exceptional SAT score can make you a more desirable candidate, but it won't guarantee admission on its own.
Since you're aiming for top institutions, developing an "academic spike," or a highly-developed specialty, can also greatly benefit your application. This demonstrates that you've excelled in a specific academic area and are likely to continue doing so in college. For instance, if you're particularly strong in math and science, acing the Math section of the SAT could contribute to this spike.
Good luck with your SAT prep and college application process! Your ambition will serve you well.
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