<p>Are you kind of new to the process of searching for and applying to college? If so, I’ll help you learn how to answer your own question, so you’ll know what the competition looks like not only at NYU, but at almost any college or university. </p>
<p>You should know about a document called a “common data set.” Most colleges and universities publish one. They’re all in the same format; that’s what’s “common” about them. Section C of the common data set gives information about people who applied the prior year for freshman admission. Among the things it tells, it will tell you the 75th percentile score and the 25th percentile score on different sections of the SAT for currently enrolled freshmen.</p>
<p>Many sites collect data from common data sets and put it all in one place, searchable by college or university. I think College Confidential actually does this on the “main site” (as opposed to here on the fourms), and I know College Board does.</p>
<p>At very selective institutions, of course nothing’s really a guarantee. The 75th percentile SAT for admitted Harvard students isn’t very much different from the 75th percentile SAT for rejected Harvard students. But even then, it lets you get a sense of what kind of SAT score it takes to be competitive. </p>
<p>We told my daughter we thought she was a highly competitive applicant at any college or university where her standardized test scores were at or above the 75th percentile. NYU wasn’t really on her list, so I’m kind of guessing, but I’d guess that if your SAT scores are in the middle of the middle 50% for NYU’s enrolled students, you can stop worrying about SATs and start focusing on other parts of your application.</p>
<p>Usually you can find a college’s common data set by Googling the name of the college and the phrase “common data set.” Then head to Section C for information about freshman admissions.</p>