I got a 1490 on my SAT. Do you think this is good enough to keep me in the running for schools like Harvard, Stanford, etc? In other words, should I retake this, or should I focus my time on other portions of my application? I’ve heard different things. Some say this score is good enough and I should not retake it, but others say it is not nearly good enough. What would you guys say?
a 1540 to 1550 is what I believe to be the threshold for the most elite schools. Below that you will need something else to compensate.
Basically, if you are unhooked and below the average score, then you need to retake it.
I wouldn’t retake anything above a 1500, as the payoff for an increase from, say, 1300 to 1400 is far bigger than that of 1500 to 1600. That being said, if you’re confident that you can get a higher score, by all means you should take it again. But at the 1500+ range, your time is better spent working on other parts of your application. This is partially because a 1500+ score is already a good score to be ‘in the running’, but also because when you reach a score as high as 1550 or so, those extra 50 points are a matter of 2-3 questions, which lends itself to the side of being lucky rather than knowing testing strategies.
I got a 1490 too, and I am applying to the same level of colleges that you are. It’s above average for schools like UVA, which are still really good, but not Ivy level. Try to aim for a 1530+, but I wouldn’t retake if you get above a 1500+.
If your score is within or above the mid 50 for admission/enrolled freshmen, you know you would not be rejected due to your score. Those admitted with a 25th percentile score usually have something else to help their admission such as legacy, athlete recruit, or other hooks. When you are looking at admission stat, make sure you are comparing with the scores in new SAT scale. Most of the data you find on the web are still in the old scale. So you may need to use the concordance table to convert.
This source estimates SAT ranges for specific colleges based on the current testing format:
^ I just posted that in another thread earlier today. LOL.
Yes, 1490 is in their 25-75% ranges, and shows you can handle the work. Many other factors will be considered during the admissions process. You could retake the SAT you like, but I think concentrating on other aspects of your recommendation makes a lot of sense, since your score is within the typical range of accepted students. But certainly consider the schools you named and similar schools to be “reaches” (especially as your score is on the low end of the range, although even valedictorians with 1600s get rejected from H and S in the holistic admissions process). Aim for some matches and safeties as well! Think about this question: What do you like about Harvard and Stanford, and which schools that are a little easier to get into share similar characteristics?