Help me with 25th -75th percentile scores

<p>I’m an international student. I’ve a very high GPA and my extra curriculars are good. Also, I’ll be applying for undecided major.</p>

<p>I’m asking a bit unusual.</p>

<p>Just for example (not my favourite), 25th -75th percentile SAT score of U of Arizona is 480-600(CR), 490-620(M), 480-600(W). So, what should be my composite score that will be worth applying (I’m not asking for this university but a general idea for all). I mean I know 25th -75th percentile of all colleges but I want to know the exact SAT composite score for which I should apply for fall 2013 that will be worth applying in a sense that it doesn’t become ridiculous (=don’t say every score make sense and it’s sheer luck).</p>

<p>I should explain it with some common calculation-workout (I know that it would be very impractical to manipulate the real statistics with a simple calculation but it still gives an idea of it).
For example:
Adding 25th percentile of each section
(480+490+480) =1450
Adding 75th percentile of each section
(600+620+600) =1820
Getting 50th percentile using average
(1450+1820)/2 =1635
Getting 62.5th (mid of 50th & 75th) percentile using average
(1635+1820)/2 =1727.5
Getting 37.5th (mid of 25th & 50th) percentile using average
(1450+1635)/2 =1542.5</p>

<p>Synopsis (in ascending order)
25th percentile =1450
37.5th percentile =1542.5 (approx.)
50th percentile =1635 (approx.)
62.5th percentile =1727.5 (approx.)
75th percentile =1820</p>

<p>Similarly, University X having ACT 21-25 (25th -75th percentile)
25th percentile =21
37.5th percentile =22 (approx.)
50th percentile =23 (approx.)
62.5th percentile =24 (approx.)
75th percentile =25</p>

<p>Some say if you’re having above 75th percentile composite (obtained as per above method), then only one should apply. Others say 62.5th percentile composite (obtained as per above method) is also somewhat good to apply. While a few insist on- (in case of SAT): 80 less than 75th percentile composite (obtained as per above method) and (in case of ACT): 2 less than 75th percentile composite (obtained as per above method ) also gives a good chance. Very few also say, 50th percentile composite (obtained as per above method) also gives a lot space.</p>

<p>I want opinion of more experienced people. I’ve visited various sites too, asking my chances. But most of them say that they are pretty(=the word really sucks me) sure that I’ll get into those colleges.
IN BRIEF, I want to know the best percentile to look at (25th/ 37.5th/ 50th/ 62.5th / 75th using above method) or any of your own other method, that’ll make sense of applying.</p>

<p>It depends on the applicant and how well they fit with the school/how strong the rest of their application is. For my first choice it is likely I will be between the 25th and 50th percentile for the ACT (not 100 percent sure, this is based on practice tests), but I am applying ED, I am confident I will have a strong essay and supplement (which are viewed as very important by the school) and my EC’s are strong. That being said I would not apply to a school where I was in that low of a percentile if I was not applying ED. What schools are you looking at (some care a lot more about tests then others)?</p>