What is the SAT average for University of Virginia?

Hey peeps, I've been working on my college list and got pretty interested in the University of Virginia. I was wondering if anyone knew what the average SAT scores are for incoming freshmen? Are they super competitive or reasonably achievable? I'm aiming for a balanced college list, so any input would help a ton.

Sure, let's talk about University of Virginia (UVA)! UVA, being a quite selective school, tends to have incoming students with strong SAT scores. Typically, the middle 50% of accepted students score between 1400 and 1540 on the SAT, which means that 25% of accepted students score below 1400, 25% score above 1540, and the remaining 50% fall within this range.

Now, while these scores are quite competitive, keep in mind that UVA employs a holistic review process (like most colleges and universities) which takes into account factors beyond just test scores. So, while a strong SAT score can certainly strengthen your application, it's also crucial to present a well-rounded application that includes strong extracurricular involvement, impressive letters of recommendation, and unique, compelling essays.

If you want to know how your application as a whole stacks up at UVA, 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 UVA 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 UVA's school-specific supplemental essays: https://blog.collegevine.com/how-to-write-the-university-of-virginia-essays/. Especially at selective schools like UVA, the essays are a great opportunity to showcase what you have to offer beyond the numbers.

Finally, it's worth noting that UVA is officially test-optional, so you actually are not required to submit an SAT (or ACT) score. However, you're smart to still be thinking about target SAT scores, as there are instances where including a standardized test score with your application is still a good idea. For detailed guidance on how to navigate test-optional policies, check out this blog post from CollegeVine: https://blog.collegevine.com/does-test-optional-mean-test-optional

Best of luck with your applications!