So I’m a junior in high school and one of the schools on the top of my list is Stanford. Stanford’s 75 percentile SAT score is somewhere around the 2350 mark. My problem is that I have taken the SAT once and I scored a 2020, which I don’t consider to be bad but not very strong. I wasn’t able to take it again yet because of the new format put into place. I do have a strong GPA though. I have a 4.3 weighted GPA and 3.95 unweighted. I come from a high school in southern California that is known to be academically challenging and I habe filled my class schedules with a good amount of AP and honors classes. I was wondering how this will affect my admission, having a below average SAT score but a GPA that makes up for it.
Stanford doesn’t have enough room for all of the applicants with outstanding grades and outstanding standardized tests (as well strong essays, recommendations, ECs), Standardized tests that are below the school average will be a negative in your application. http://admission.stanford.edu/basics/selection/profile.html
Be sure that when you compile your application list that you have a solid mix of reach (Stanford is a reach for pretty much everyone), match, and safety schools that you can afford and would be happy to attend.
^ Well stated.
Have you tried taking the ACT? While students should do about the same on both tests, they usually do better on one or the other.
I agree with @gnawnil09 - you might be more successful with a well-prepared-for ACT.