I just finished the SAT and scored a 1580 (800 R, 780 M). I know such high scores are rare for black students, so how much will this help me get into Yale or Stanford?
It won’t help you get into Yale or Stanford.
Not the answer you expected, right? An SAT score by itself isn’t the thing that puts an application over the line. What your score does is remove a negative, and put you in the pile of students with strong test scores. But, spoiler alert: there will be students who get into Yale & Stanford with lower SAT scores- and not just the ‘legacy’ or ‘donor’ kids either- even some unhooked, regular mortal students who just have a strong overall application. Fwiw, really high standardized test scores and low grades can lead AcComms to ask, ‘why the disparity?’ and wonder if it reflects a lack of self-discipline.
For schools accepting 5-8% of applicants, you need the whole package, regardless of your race, ethnicity, etc. In another post you ask if reading ahead will put you ahead of other students- the answer is that that top students will be doing that. You also ask if going to teacher office hours will get you a better grade on your essay- and the answer is possibly, not b/c of sucking up, but b/c you will get more info on how to improve your writing- and again, that is what the top students will be doing routinely.
From your other posts you are currently in Grade 7 or 8, about to apply to highly competitive boarding schools. You have a long road ahead of you. Read this, and take it to heart:
@preppywannabe
First, congratulations on the achievement.
I am probably in the minority here. I may be wrong. However, I think that being African-American AND scoring 1580 will be a bigger help than is politically correct to say.
Keep us posted on you application and acceptance journey! I very interested in seeing how it turns out.
As the punchline to an old joke says… “it couldn’t hurt!”. Congrats!
Did you just finish the SAT or just finish a practice test? I am not going to offer an opinion without that answer – or without knowing your grade year and GPA. You want an honest answer? You need to provide a more complete picture of who you are.
I did the actual SAT
So what year are you? Are you in BS or applying?
At some point, you need to learn that it’s not just stats, not even with URM thrown in. Not even with grades or awards added in.
They’ll notice the scores, be impressed…turn the page, and look for a whole lot more.
Miles to go, much to learn, and experience. Do this in the right order. @collegemom3717 is right.
Totally agree with @EconPop. The answer is that it will help you quite a lot. Get very good grades and you will get into a top 20 school. You will need a little more of course for the very most elite (HYPMS), as other posters have indicated.
Great job - now get back to your schoolwork and making a positive contribution to the people in your life!
You also indicate that you attend an elite BS. Those connections may be a better predictor of your admission to an elite than your test scores, of course both being helpful together.