Are SAT scores significant for Virginia Tech applications?

Hey people, I'm planning on applying to Virginia Tech and I've been hearing mixed things about their SAT requirements. Can anyone clarify how important SAT scores are in their admission process? Is it a make-or-break situation or does Virginia Tech focus more on other aspects of the application?

Virginia Tech, similar to many universities, follows a holistic review process for applications. This means they consider various components of your application, not just your SAT scores. They review your GPA, the rigor of your course load (for instance, taking AP or IB courses signifies a challenging high school curriculum), your personal essays, extracurricular activities, and your potential contributions to the VT community.

However, for the 2024-2025 application cycle, Virginia Tech is following a test-optional policy. This means that while you can choose to submit your SAT scores, you're not required to. If you choose not to submit them, it won't negatively affect your application.

So, in this case, even if your SAT score isn't as strong as you'd like it to be but the other components of your application are substantial - rigorous course schedule, solid GPA, impactful essays, and significant extracurricular accomplishments - it wouldn't necessarily break your application.

That said, if your scores are strong, they could boost your application. So while they're not a make-or-break component, they're certainly a piece of the puzzle. It's always a good idea to present the strongest possible application based on your individual strengths.