Pattern? There’s mathematical CERTAINTY. Unless all the admitted students have identical SAT scores, then some scores will be above the avg and some will be below.
It’s not like colleges can suddenly decide to admit only the highest scoring kids. Colleges have to manage their yield. The colleges know that they are competing with selective/desirable schools for the top applicants. If a college admitted only the top stats applicants, then the college could end up holding the bag with not enough enrolled students that year.
If you are so worried about your SAT score being below a school’s avg, then your choices are:
- get a higher score
- apply to schools where you’re above the avg
- apply to test-optional schools
- suck it up and apply anyway