High SAT Score

Hi all! I'm getting ready to take the SAT and was looking for some clarity. What would be considered a 'high' SAT score? Or like, I guess what's the score that top-tier colleges are looking for? Thanks in advance, peeps!

When we talk about a 'high' SAT score, we most often refer to a score that would place a student in a competitive range for consideration at top-tier colleges. While there is no 'magic number' that guarantees admission, it would typically be around the 75th percentile or higher for the admitted student profile at these colleges.

To give some context, the SAT is scored on a range of 400-1600. As a rough estimate, you'd want to aim for a score in the range of 1540-1600 for most of the very selective institutions. Many top-tier schools such as Harvard, Princeton, and Stanford typically have a middle 50% SAT score range (i.e., the range where 50% of admitted students' scores lie) between approximately 1510 and 1570. Of course, this can vary between schools and academic years.

Remember, while a high SAT score can bolster your application, college admissions consider a multitude of factors, including your academic performance, extracurricular activities, leadership roles, and essays. Having a SAT score in the competitive range does not guarantee admission, but it can help ensure your application will receive a thorough review. Be sure to put equal emphasis on your essays, involvement in extracurriculars, and maintaining a strong GPA.

One more tip: even though a high SAT score is beneficial, make sure it's balanced by strong participation and leadership in extracurricular activities, preferably in an area linked to your intended major or career. Quality over quantity always prevails.

Again, these numbers are estimates and may vary slightly between colleges or academic years. To have the most accurate understanding of what SAT score you should aim for, research the middle 50% SAT score range for the universities you wish to apply to.

Best of luck preparing for the SAT!