Last Updated on April 20, 2023
Ivy League admissions are notoriously competitive, with acceptance rates at most Ivy League schools below 10%, and in some cases, well below that mark. (Take Columbia and Harvard, for example, which have acceptance rates of roughly 5% and 4%, respectively.) So, if you’re wondering, “What is a good SAT score for Ivy Leagues?,” trust me, you’re not alone!
In this article, we’ll answer some common and important questions about Ivy League SAT scores, including what the average SAT scores are, what is considered a good SAT score, whether admitted students always have high SAT scores, and more. When all is said and done, you’ll have a solid understanding of what types of SAT scores students applying to Ivy League schools typically need to be competitive.
Here are the topics we’ll cover:
- Which Schools Are Ivy League?
- How Important Are SAT Scores for Ivy League Schools?
- Testing Requirements During the Pandemic
- Should You Skip the SAT?
- Testing Requirements During the Pandemic
- What Is the Average SAT Score at Ivy League Schools?
- Middle 50% SAT Score Ranges of Ivy League Students: Fall 2021
- What Is a Good SAT Score for Ivy League Schools?
- Can I Get Into an Ivy League School with a 1400 SAT?
- What Is the Minimum SAT Score for Ivy League Schools?
- In Conclusion
First, let’s review which schools we’re talking about when we say “Ivy League.”
Which Schools Are Ivy League?
The Ivy League is a small group of highly prestigious and academically rigorous colleges and universities in the northeastern U.S. Ivy League schools have long been considered among the top educational institutions in the country and the world, attracting both U.S. and international students.
There are 8 Ivy League colleges and universities:
- Brown University
- Columbia University
- Cornell University
- Dartmouth College
- Harvard College
- University of Pennsylvania
- Princeton University
- Yale University
All 8 Ivy schools consistently rank in the top 25 U.S. universities, and Ivy schools occupy most of the spots in the top 5.
KEY FACT:
The Ivy League schools are Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Harvard, UPenn, Princeton, and Yale.
How Important Are SAT Scores for Ivy League Schools?
For students applying to Ivy League schools, every detail of their college applications matters. That said, standardized tests are just one component among many in a person’s college applications. For instance, a student’s academic record, extracurricular activities, internships, and application essays are all key elements that Ivy League schools scrutinize. Consider the following statement from the Yale admissions website:
“… it is safe to say that performance in school is more important than testing. A very strong performance in a demanding college preparatory program may compensate for modest standardized test scores, but it is unlikely that high standardized test scores will persuade the admissions committee to disregard an undistinguished secondary-school record.”
Yale is not alone in making such declarations. So, while test scores are an important opportunity to show off your knowledge and skills, they are not the be-all and end-all when applying to the Ivy Leagues.
In other words, you can leverage a good SAT score to help burnish your Ivy League college applications, but you can’t expect even a great SAT score to single-handedly carry you over the finish line.
TTP PRO TIP:
The SAT is an important opportunity to show off your knowledge and skills, but it’s not the be-all and end-all when applying to the Ivy Leagues.
In fact, if you’re applying to college in the near future, it may be that the Ivy Leagues you’re interested in are test optional. Let’s discuss.
Testing Requirements During the Pandemic
During the Covid-19 pandemic, many colleges and universities, including Ivy League schools, instituted test-optional policies. These policies paused the requirement that applicants submit scores from standardized tests for admissions. So, depending on when and where you’re applying to college, you may have the option to not submit test scores with your applications.
For example, Cornell suspended its SAT and ACT requirement for 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024 applicants. As a result, in Cornell’s class of 2025 (which entered in fall 2021), only about 41% of students submitted SAT scores with their applications, and only about 20% of students submitted ACT scores. So, many incoming students took advantage of the test-optional policy.
Now, testing requirements vary from school to school, and some schools may have already ended test-optional policies that were in place at the beginning of the pandemic. So, you shouldn’t assume that because one Ivy League school still has a test-optional policy in place, they all do. Always check individual school websites to confirm current admissions policies.
TTP PRO TIP:
Check individual school websites to confirm whether the schools you’re interested in have test-optional policies.
You also must consider whether you actually would want to forgo taking the SAT. Let’s discuss.
Should You Skip the SAT?
It may seem like a no-brainer that if you have the option to skip the SAT, you should. However, there are a couple of very important reasons why you might not want to skip the SAT even if the Ivy Leagues you’re interested in don’t require it during your admissions cycle.
As I already touched on, the SAT can be a powerful opportunity to show your top-choice schools that you’re a top-choice candidate. Remember, you have only so many opportunities to show yourself off in your college applications. Furthermore, your academic record is already set. So, why not grab an additional opportunity to paint yourself in the best light by submitting an impressive SAT score?
Moreover, although you may be laser-focused on gaining admittance to certain Ivy Leagues at the moment, further down the road, you may decide that there are other schools you want to apply to, and those schools may require the SAT. So, regardless of whether you submit an SAT score with your applications to Ivy Leagues, it may be smart to have an SAT score in your back pocket. After all, you don’t want your college options to be more limited than they otherwise would be.
Of course, if your SAT score is not that impressive, you may choose to take advantage of test-optional policies if they’re still in place at your desired schools when you apply. However, if possible, you might consider additional test prep and an SAT retake, given the boost that a good SAT score could give your candidacy.
TTP PRO TIP:
Even if the Ivy Leagues you’re interested in have test-optional policies, it may still be a smart play to take the SAT.
Now, let’s discuss what types of scores students enrolled in the Ivy Leagues generally have.
What Is the Average SAT Score at Ivy League Schools?
You may be surprised to learn that most Ivy League schools do not currently publish the average SAT scores of their incoming classes. What they do typically publish is SAT data related to the middle 50% score range.
The middle 50% range, or “mid-50%,” is the score range from the 25th percentile score in a class to the 75th percentile score. So, 25% of the class will have scored at or lower than the bottom of that range and 25% will have scored at or above the top of that range. Hence, the range represents the “middle 50%.”
KEY FACT:
Most Ivy League schools publish data related to the middle 50% score range, which is the range from the 25th percentile score in an incoming class to the 75th percentile score.
So, let’s look at the mid-50% Ivy League SAT score ranges of students matriculating in fall 2021 (class of 2025).
Middle 50% SAT Score Ranges of Ivy League Students: Fall 2021
| School | Mid-50% Composite Score | Mid-50% Math Score | Mid-50% EBRW Score |
| Brown | 1480-1560 | n/a | n/a |
| Columbia | 1510-1560 | n/a | n/a |
| Cornell | 1450-1540 | 750-800 | 700-760 |
| Dartmouth* | 1440-1560 | 730-790 | 710-770 |
| Harvard* | 1460-1570 | 750-800 | 710-770 |
| UPenn | 1490-1560 | n/a | n/a |
| Princeton | 1450-1570 | 740-800 | 710-770 |
| Yale | 1460-1560 | 740-790 | 720-770 |
| Mid-50% Average**: | 1470-1560 |
*Data is for incoming students in fall 2020 (class of 2024).
**Rounded to the nearest ten.
Based on the data above, we see that Ivy League SAT score ranges for the middle 50% of enrolled students tend to be around the mid to upper 1400s at the low end and the mid to upper 1500s at the high end. Remember, some students may have scored below or above that range. However, it’s unlikely that a large number of students deviated tremendously from that range. In other words, we can consider the mid-50% range a pretty representative sample.
Additionally, while we can’t say exactly what the average Ivy League SAT score is, we can say that the average mid-50% score range is 1470-1560. That average gives us a solid sense of how an Ivy League student with neither an exceptionally high nor exceptionally low score (by Ivy League standards) performs on the SAT.
TTP PRO TIP:
Consider the mid-50% SAT score range a pretty representative sample of how students at a particular school perform on the SAT.
So, should we assume that any score that falls within those mid-50% ranges is a good score for Ivy Leagues schools? Not so fast! There’s more to the story.
What Is a Good SAT Score for Ivy League Schools?
While Ivy League schools don’t expect perfect SAT scores, there is no denying that the bar is set high. Thus, if you’re looking to leverage your SAT score to make yourself a more competitive applicant, you’ll want to shoot for the 75th percentile score among admitted students at your schools of choice.
In other words, aim for a score around the top of the mid-50% range. For most Ivy Leagues, the top of the mid-50% range is an SAT score of 1560 or 1570.
Does scoring below 1560 mean that you’ve tanked your candidacy at these top schools? Absolutely not! Clearly, many students have been accepted to Ivy League universities and colleges with SAT scores below the 75th percentile mark. However, if you really have your heart set on certain schools and want to use the SAT as a way to boost your candidacy, around the 75th percentile mark is a good target.
TTP PRO TIP:
To help boost your competitiveness at an Ivy League school, aim for an SAT score around the top of the mid-50% range of the most recent class.
Now, what if you have an SAT score below the mid-50% range? Should you still try for the Ivy Leagues?
Can I Get Into an Ivy League School with a 1400 SAT?
It’s possible that some students scoring in the bottom 25th percentile at Ivy League schools were admitted with SAT scores of 1400 — or lower.
For example, according to the CollegeBoard website (by the makers of the SAT), the complete range of SAT scores of Cornell students is 1400-1560. So, that range spans 50 points below and 20 points above the mid-50% range that Cornell reported for its 2021 incoming class. (Note that CollegeBoard does not specify which year the complete range is associated with, nor whether that range applies to admitted or enrolled students.)
Furthermore, given that schools evaluate applicants in a holistic fashion, I don’t think that anyone can say for sure that it’s simply impossible to gain admittance to an Ivy League school because you scored 1400, 1390, etc., on the SAT.
That said, if you really have your heart set on the Ivy Leagues, and your SAT score is 1400, you may want to consider a retake to give yourself a more solid shot at admittance. Particularly if you’re aiming for a school that boasts high test scores even for the Ivy Leagues, such as Columbia, UPenn, or Brown, a higher score may help you better hold your own against stiff competition.
TTP PRO TIP:
If your SAT score is 1400 and you really have your heart set on the Ivy Leagues, consider a retake.
With all this in mind, let’s discuss whether there is a minimum SAT score you need to be eligible for the Ivy Leagues.
What Is the Minimum SAT Score for Ivy League Schools?
First, it’s always best to check individual school websites to see what each school’s policies are. However, generally speaking, Ivy League schools don’t specify a particular minimum SAT score required for admission. After all, Ivy League admissions committees, like those at many other colleges and universities, take numerous factors into account when evaluating applicants.
For example, regarding required minimum SAT scores, Harvard states the following:
“There are no score cutoffs, and we do not admit ‘by the numbers’.”
Similarly, Princeton makes the following statement:
“We employ no minimum test scores for admission; rather, the entirety of a student’s background is considered in context.”
Such statements are typical for Ivy League schools.
In fact, in evaluating your candidacy, some schools will even use your highest section scores from different test sittings if you submit scores from more than one SAT. Again, before you go submitting multiple test scores, check individual school websites! Don’t assume that the policies of one Ivy League school will be the same as another’s. Although Ivy League schools have many similarities, they all have their own test policies and admissions requirements.
Keep in mind also that if you’re worried that your SAT score may be too low for you to be a competitive applicant, you can always contact the admissions offices at the schools you’re interested in by email or phone to get their take.
KEY FACT:
Generally speaking, Ivy League schools don’t specify a minimum SAT score required for admission.
In Conclusion
When setting your SAT score goal and preparing your college applications for the Ivy League schools, remember the following:
- The SAT is a great opportunity to show off your knowledge and skills, but it’s not the be-all and end-all when applying to the Ivy Leagues.
- According to 2021 and 2020 incoming class data, the average middle 50% score range of Ivy League students is approximately 1470-1560.
- To leverage your SAT score for Ivy League admissions, shoot for around the top of the mid-50% range among admitted students at your schools of choice.
- If you really have your heart set on the Ivies, and your SAT score is below the mid-50% range, consider a retake to give yourself a more solid shot at admittance.
- Even if your desired Ivy League schools are test-optional when you apply, there may still be good reasons to take the SAT.
Happy studying!
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FAQs
What Is a Good SAT Score for Ivy Leagues? | TTP SAT Blog? ›
An SAT score of 1555 (out of 1600) or ACT score of 35 (out of 36) will place you right in the top 25% for most Ivy League schools, whereas an SAT score of 1455 or ACT score of 33 would put you at the boundary of the bottom 25%.
What SAT score is good enough for Ivy League? ›These percentile score ranges are what you are going to want to consider when applying to Ivy League schools. As you can see, a score of 1550 or above will put you in a good position for admittance into an Ivy League school, and you want to avoid scoring below 1480 so that you can have a score that is above average.
Is 1400 a good SAT score for Ivy League? ›One of the only reasons to consider retaking the SAT would be if you're interested in attending institutions that are very selective or in the Ivy League. While a 1400 makes you eligible to apply to places such as Harvard, Yale, and the University of Pennsylvania, it won't make you a competitive candidate.
Is 1480 a good SAT score for Ivy League? ›Yes, 1480 on the SAT is a good score. The SAT is calculated out of 1600 points which is the highest score you can achieve. On the other hand, a 400 is the lowest possible score. A 1480 SAT score indicates that you have a great grasp of collegiate-level material and have no problem excelling in college curricula.
Will a 1600 SAT get me into an Ivy? ›What colleges can I get into with a 1600 SAT score? You're an eligible and competitive candidate for all schools, including most selective schools. On top of applying to colleges in the Ivy League, also consider applying to colleges like the University of Chicago, Northwestern University, and Georgetown University.
Will a 1500 SAT get me into Harvard? ›There's no absolute SAT requirement at Harvard, but they really want to see at least a 1460 to have a chance at being considered.
Should I submit a 1500 SAT to Ivy League? ›A 1500 SAT score is incredibly competitive and makes you eligible for admission into all colleges — even the most competitive ones, the Ivy Leagues. Included in the institutions you can apply to are the University of Chicago, Columbia University in the City of New York, and Duke University.
Can I get into MIT with a 1400 SAT? ›The 25th percentile New SAT score is 1500, and the 75th percentile SAT score is 1570. In other words, a 1500 places you below average, while a 1570 will move you up to above average. There's no absolute SAT requirement at MIT, but they really want to see at least a 1500 to have a chance at being considered.
Can I get into Cornell with a 1400 SAT? ›Cornell University is very selective with an acceptance rate of 11%. Students that get into Cornell University have an SAT score between 1470–1550 or an ACT score of 33–35. Regular applications are due January 2.
Can I get into Dartmouth with a 1400 SAT? ›The 25th percentile New SAT score is 1450, and the 75th percentile SAT score is 1550. In other words, a 1450 places you below average, while a 1550 will move you up to above average. There's no absolute SAT requirement at Dartmouth, but they really want to see at least a 1450 to have a chance at being considered.
Can I get into Vanderbilt with a 1480? ›
Vanderbilt University is extremely selective with an acceptance rate of 9%. Students that get into Vanderbilt University have an SAT score between 1480–1570 or an ACT score of 34–35. Regular applications are due January 1.
Do Ivies care about SAT scores? ›All eight Ivy League schools will continue to have test-optional policies for the 2022-23 application cycle. While high SAT scores are an asset, they're just one metric that colleges consider. Students should aim to score in the 75th percentile among admitted students.
What SAT score is good for Yale? ›Yale University is extremely selective with an acceptance rate of 6%. Students that get into Yale University have an SAT score between 1470–1560 or an ACT score of 33–35. Regular applications are due January 2.
What was Mark Zuckerberg's SAT score? ›| Celebrity | Profession/Field | SAT Score |
|---|---|---|
| Ben Affleck | actor | “nearly perfect” |
| Bill Gates | tech entrepreneur | 1590 |
| Will Smith | actor | 1600 |
| Mark Zuckerberg | Facebook founder | 1600 |
Elon Musk reacts to GPT-4 scoring 93% on SAT exams.
Can I get into Yale with a 1500 SAT? ›The 25th percentile New SAT score is 1470, and the 75th percentile SAT score is 1560. In other words, a 1470 places you below average, while a 1560 will move you up to above average. There's no absolute SAT requirement at Yale, but they really want to see at least a 1470 to have a chance at being considered.
What is the lowest SAT at Harvard? ›| SAT Score (1600 scale) | Competitiveness | Admission Chances |
|---|---|---|
| 1530 to 1580 | Avg + | 4%-7% |
| 1480 to 1530 | Avg - | 2%-4% |
| 1430 to 1480 | Reach | 1%-2% |
| Less than 1430 | Low | <1% |
The 25th percentile New SAT score is 1420, and the 75th percentile SAT score is 1540. In other words, a 1420 places you below average, while a 1540 will move you up to above average. There's no absolute SAT requirement at Cornell, but they really want to see at least a 1420 to have a chance at being considered.
What is 99th percentile on SAT? ›While many high achievers strive to reach a 1600, in reality any score above a 1500 typically falls within the 99th or 98th percentile. This means that if you've scored a 1500 on the SAT, it may not be in your best interest to retake the test when you could work on other parts of your application.
Is 1500 enough for Stanford? ›Admissions Summary
Stanford University is extremely selective with an acceptance rate of 4%. Students that get into Stanford University have an SAT score between 1500–1570 or an ACT score of 33–35.
Can I get into Dartmouth with 1500 SAT? ›
Admissions Summary
Students that get into Dartmouth College have an SAT score between 1480–1560 or an ACT score of 33–35. Regular applications are due January 3.
1500 SAT Score Standings
Out of the 2.13 million test-takers, 20911 scored the same or higher than you. You can apply to 1482 colleges and have a good shot at getting admitted.
MIT SAT Requirements
You must at least have an SAT score of 1500 to have a chance of being considered for admission to MIT. If we investigate the data of previously admitted students to MIT, the lowest SAT math score was in the 700-740 range.
You should also have a 4.17 GPA or higher. If your GPA is lower than this, you need to compensate with a higher SAT/ACT score. For a school as selective as MIT, you'll also need to impress them with the rest of your application. We'll cover those details next.
What is the lowest SAT score someone got into MIT with? ›Score Range
One percent of the admitted students had the lowest SAT ERW score in the 600-640 range. This tells us that it is possible to be admitted to MIT with a composite SAT score in the range of 1300-1380, although most students are within the 1510-1580 range.
Cornell is considered the "easiest" Ivy League to get into because it has the highest Ivy League acceptance rate. While it's easier, statistically speaking, to get into Cornell, it's still challenging. It's also important to remember that students apply directly to one of Cornell's eight undergraduate colleges.
Does Harvard accept Superscore? ›You may choose to send your ACT superscores to Harvard. When you do so, we will also receive the full results from your best sitting, including highest composite from a single test date. We will review all of these scores if you choose to apply with consideration of tests in your application.
What is the middle 50% SAT for Cornell? ›Students who get into Cornell University score in the top 2 percent of all SAT test takers.. The SAT composite score range for the middle 50% of students is 1450-1560.
What is the lowest GPA Dartmouth will accept? ›You should also have a 4.11 GPA or higher. If your GPA is lower than this, you need to compensate with a higher SAT/ACT score. For a school as selective as Dartmouth, you'll also need to impress them with the rest of your application. We'll cover those details next.
Does Yale accept 1200 SAT score? ›1200 SAT Score – Colleges and Universities
Although Harvard University, MIT, Stanford University, Yale University, Cornell University, and Princeton University are among the best colleges in the United States and the world, they require a SAT score above 1500 for admissions.
Can I get into Princeton with a 1450? ›
Key Point: 1580 or above increases your chances of acceptance; 1450 or below means you're not likely to get in.
Should I submit a 1480 to Stanford? ›Stanford University's average SAT score is 1480. To be a competitive applicant for Stanford University your SAT score should come close to the average. If you're closer to the 1380, you're likely going to have a tougher time getting accepted.
What is the lowest GPA Vanderbilt will accept? ›You should also have a 3.83 GPA or higher. If your GPA is lower than this, you need to compensate with a higher SAT/ACT score. For a school as selective as Vanderbilt, you'll also need to impress them with the rest of your application.
Is it easier to get into Duke or Vanderbilt? ›Which is Harder to Get Into: Duke or Vanderbilt? Both Duke University and Vanderbilt University are harder to get into than most US colleges and universities. Duke has an acceptance rate of 7.6%. On the other hand, Vanderbilt has an acceptance rate of 9.1%.
What is the easiest Cornell college to get into? ›Cornell Acceptance Rate by College
The Hotel School in the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business is the least competitive with an acceptance rate of 30% The School of Human Ecology has a 23 % acceptance rate, the second-highest acceptance rate of all the schools at Cornell.
The average SAT score for admitted students at Ivy League schools is about 1550, so you want to be aiming for a PSAT score that puts you around 1490.
Do Ivy Leagues care about PSAT scores? ›If your ultimate goal is to attend an elite university, then you should know that a good PSAT score for Ivy League admission is to be in the 99th percentile or higher. In other words, if your main priority is getting into the Ivy League, you should aim for a composite PSAT score anywhere between 1280 and 1520.
What is the lowest GPA Yale will accept? ›What is the minimum GPA required for admission? We do not set a minimum GPA, nor do we attempt to re-weight GPA's to any standard other than what a school provides. An applicant's complete secondary school transcript (not just the GPA or class rank, if they are provided) is evaluated during the admissions process.
Should I submit a 1450 SAT to Yale? ›As you can see, you should only withhold test scores if you are below the college's 25th percentile. And, even then, it can actually be borderline whether or not to submit. For example, Yale's middle 50% score range is from 1460 to 1580. If a student has a 1400-1450, though, then I would still submit it.
What SAT score is required for UCLA? ›| GPA and test scores of middle 25%-75% students | |
|---|---|
| High School GPA | 4.18 - 4.32 |
| SAT Evidence Based Reading & Writing | 670 - 760 |
| SAT Mathematics | 690 - 790 |
| SAT Essay | 16 - 19 |
Can I get into Ivy League with 1200 SAT score? ›
With a 1200 SAT score, you're effectively out of running for the Top 10 universities and Ivy League schools. These comprise most of the well-known and highly-sought after colleges and universities including Harvard, MIT, UPenn, Caltech, Brown, Princeton, and more.
Is 1300 SAT good enough for Ivy League? ›The only reason to consider retaking the SAT after earning a 1300 score is if you have your sights set on a very selective or elite school, such as those in the Ivy League. The 25th percentile for these institutions hovers around 1390, which means you may fall short as a competitive candidate.
Can I get into Cornell with a 1200 SAT? ›Students that get into Cornell University have an SAT score between 1470–1550 or an ACT score of 33–35.
What is the lowest Ivy League SAT? ›Ideal ACT/SAT Scores for Ivy League School Applications
The minimum SAT score to get into an Ivy League school ranges from 690 to 730 for the reading section and from 700 to 730 for the math section. Getting 700 or 710 (or higher) on both of these sections will give you an advantage at most Ivy League universities.
Yale University is extremely selective with an acceptance rate of 6%. Students that get into Yale University have an SAT score between 1470–1560 or an ACT score of 33–35. Regular applications are due January 2.
What is the easiest Ivy League to get into? ›Cornell is considered the "easiest" Ivy League to get into because it has the highest Ivy League acceptance rate. While it's easier, statistically speaking, to get into Cornell, it's still challenging. It's also important to remember that students apply directly to one of Cornell's eight undergraduate colleges.
What was Will Smith's SAT score? ›Will Smith SAT score was a perfect 1600. A rare score few people have earned. Despite this incredible score, Will chose not to attend college, did not even enroll, and decided to pursue his career in music.
What is the lowest GPA Stanford will accept? ›There is no minimum GPA or test score, nor is there any specific number of AP or honors courses you must have on your transcript in order to have your application reviewed or be admitted to Stanford.
Can I get into Dartmouth with 1300 SAT score? ›There's no absolute SAT requirement at Dartmouth, but they really want to see at least a 1450 to have a chance at being considered.
Should I retake a 1370 SAT? ›A 1370 SAT score will preclude you from getting into more selective schools such as Harvard, Yale, MIT, Brown, and others of the same caliber. However, it'll put you in the running for Georgia Tech, Boston University, Claremont McKenna, University of Virginia, and Reed.
Can I get into Cornell with a 1300 SAT? ›
Admission Requirements in Brief
To have the best chance of getting into to Cornell University you should: Have a high school GPA of 3.9 or better. Earn A- grades in high school. Score 1510 on the SAT.