Perspective for those getting SAT scores back

<p>Just had a look at data released by the college board for 2006 college-bound students. Step outside the CC hothouse for a moment and venture a guess at what the mean SAT scores were for college-bound seniors who graduated in the top 10% of their class: </p>

<p>CR/M/W
580/604/577</p>

<p>Of couse such scores won't get you admitted to HYP, but this data should help students and parents get a bit of perspective:</p>

<p>--if you have good grades and get your scores to around 600/section you're already in pretty select company
--there are plenty of students whose SAT scores underpredict their academic performance
--if almost everyone in your AP classes scored>2100, your school is not normal; it's just not like that at most high schools in America. </p>

<p>So if you were disappointed in your scores, relax, take a deep breath and look at the big picture: you will doubtless have choices among dozens, if not hundreds of wonderful colleges who might find you more remarkable than you give yourself credit for.</p>

<p>Great post Marathonman!</p>

<p>A standing ovation for this posting!!</p>

<p>Thank for this information. I was disappointed with my scores because the majority of students score much higher than I do. This gives me a little more confidence in my abilities.</p>

<p>An even better indicator of how your scores hold up nationally is the percentile next to that number...
These numbers are only like 90 points about the national average. Why? Because the number of school that your average CCer looks at are a very select few.
If you want to know how your scores hold up, look at the percentile.</p>

<p>Most people at my school are satisfied with a 1500 M/V/W. Some people on this website are crazy.</p>

<p>Great post. I think some people on this board really need to read it. I just became a member recently and have been reading people's reactions to their SAT scores. I was pretty happy with my 1890, only to find out that most people here would consider that a horrific score that would prevent them from getting into college. I started to actually feel bad about my own score when I heard what everyone else was complaining about, but this really put things in perspective.</p>

<p>I agree with you guys completely. I have a bit above 2100 and i feel bad about it. before that was like my dream score until i started doing this site a lot and i think that a 3.9 gpa and 2100 is bad. The national average is a bit above 1500. Think about that the next time you rate them and tell them theyre sat's are low or their grades and ec's suck. People do what they can and have a reason for everything. Not everyoine gets 2300 and 4.0 and are stressing about HYPS. College is not your life its something you do to have a good time in life. Lets all be nicer to each other shall we??</p>

<p>bump.............</p>

<p>there are other considerations:</p>

<p>1.5 million take the SAT if you have an average score you are among the top750,000 in the country
Ivy league only accept let's say 20,000 students. Divide 20,000 by 1.5 million and you realize that you need to be on the top .2%</p>

<p>brilliant post above me. basically what i was suggesting but with a beautiful statistic. However, that is just Harvard who is on par with at least 15 other schools in my opinion. Thats at least 200,000 acceptances that are on par with harvard which means you only need like the top 2% so if you are around 98th percentile its fine.</p>

<p>thank you thank you thank you. this is lovely.</p>

<p>Wow, thank you so much!! This makes me feel so much better about my score. :)</p>