How Good is a 1510 SAT Score?

Got my SAT scores back and I managed a 1510! I'm stoked, but kinda curious about how it's ranked percentile wise. Also, would that be competitive for top-tier schools?

Congratulations on your fantastic score! In the grand scheme of things, a 1510 on the SAT is an excellent score. It generally places you in the top 1-2% of all test-takers nationwide.

When it comes to applying to top-tier schools, a lot of factors matter, and while test scores are one part of the equation, they certainly aren't the only part. Having said that, a 1510 score is generally within the mid 50th percentile range for top-tier institutions such as Harvard, Princeton, Stanford and others, which means it is within the range of scores that half of the students admitted have achieved.

However, keep in mind that at these highly selective schools, other factors such as your GPA, your extracurricular activities, your essays, and letters of recommendation also play a big part in admissions decisions. Even students with perfect scores get rejected if their other application components aren't strong. So while a 1510 SAT score is competitive, it’s also important to focus on these other aspects of your application to make it well-rounded.

For example, schools will be interested in seeing demonstrated leadership and dedication in a few key extracurricular activities, well-written essays that highlight your personal experiences and passions, and strong recommendations from teachers who can vouch for your classroom participation and academic abilities.

Keep up the good work, and best of luck with your college applications!