What’s considered the cutoff for a “good” SAT score these days?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My son got a 1380 and that is considered 92nd percentile nationally.

He had a 4.1 WGPA. Was still waitlisted at Virginia Tech and Clemson for business.

I think for competitive stem programs, you need at least a 1450 if you you’re going to submit it.

It wasn’t his score it was a 4.1 WGPA, that means he had less than 3.7 UW?

[Anonymous]

My son attends U of Penn and scored an 1190. Went test optional and got into his top 2 school choices.

[Anonymous]

1500 shut out of t20. In everywhere else and also accepted into several top Honors colleges at flagships.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:1520+ cutoff for top selective schools if not recruited athlete or from underserved community - for T20

Is there a big difference between 1500 and 1520?

[Anonymous]

1440 is 95 percentile (top 5 percent) of kids in past 3 years

https://research.collegeboard.org/reports/sat-suite/understanding-scores/sat

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For many top-end schools, a 1460 (or even under) may suffice, a 1500 may enhance, and a 1530+ may get extra attention.

But only if you also have 3.9UW or higher.

This is horse crap. DC’s entire school doesn’t have more than 5 over 3.9, yet 30% go to top 20.

The point is kids with a 3.5UW top rigor with a 1500 are not getting into top schools without a hook.

[Anonymous]

I told my kid he needs to get at least 1500. Asian male pre med.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I told my kid he needs to get at least 1500. Asian male pre med.

That’s a lot of pressure.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I told my kid he needs to get at least 1500. Asian male pre med.

That’s a lot of pressure.

1500 isn’t the holy grail for anyone foe the top schools. Have your kid try their best, let the chips fall where they may, and focus on finding schools that are good fits for him and his academic/career/social interests and preferences. There are lots of colleges where the average SAT is less than 1500, which have good medical school placement rates.

[Anonymous]

750/750 is where you want to be. Anything above that is even better

[Anonymous]

It depends on the target schools and your objectives, but 1500+ covers most bases.

Check the Common Data Set for each school your kid will be applying to (you said 9th grade so you have time) and see how the applicants who were admitted scored - aim for the 50% range (i.e. if 50% of admitted students who submitted scores averaged 1530, then that is your target score just to be competitive. 75% range or higher is better at top tier schools.). Those Common Data Set ranges should determine if your student should submit scores - reconsider submitting if your scores are in the 25% percentile or less of previous admitted students.

If you want merit aid, 1500+ will get you better offers, particularly at schools where that score will put your student in the 75th percentile of accepted students.

For top tier schools, you need at least 1550 or higher. I agree with others - no real difference between 1550 and 1600, so don't bother taking it again to try to improve on that.

If you do get in the high 1300s or 1400s, and that is the best your kid can do, don't worry. There will be plenty of really good options for them as well.

[Anonymous]

1450 outside top 20, 1550 for top 20.

[Anonymous]

1530

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My son got a 1380 and that is considered 92nd percentile nationally.

He had a 4.1 WGPA. Was still waitlisted at Virginia Tech and Clemson for business.

I think for competitive stem programs, you need at least a 1450 if you you’re going to submit it.

Where did he go?

[Anonymous]

1520