SAT & ACT scores obviously play a role in college admissions. The extent of their impact varies from school to school, but top-ranked colleges typically demand top test scores. U.S. News & World Report, a long-time leader in ranking colleges, took a look at the 10 colleges with highest SAT score requirements, presumably based on its College Compass tool. The list of schools is pretty interesting, especially when supplemented with College Board College Search Mid-Range SAT & ACT score data:
10. Brown University
Average SAT Score: 1451
SAT Mid-Range: 1440-1580
ACT Mid-Range: 31-34
9. University of Pennsylvania
Average SAT Score: 1457
SAT Mid-Range: 1450-1580
ACT Mid-Range: 31-34
7. (tie) Johns Hopkins University
Average SAT Score: 1464
SAT Mid-Range: 1470-1580
ACT Mid-Range: 32-34
7. (tie) Northwestern University
Average SAT Score: 1464
SAT Mid-Range: 1450-1570
ACT Mid-Range: 31-34
6. Harvey Mudd College
Average SAT Score: 1471
SAT Mid-Range: 1470-1570
ACT Mid-Range: 33-35
5. Washington University in St. Louis
Average SAT Score: 1475
SAT Mid-Range: 1470-1580
ACT Mid-Range: 32-34
4. Princeton University
Average SAT Score: 1475
SAT Mid-Range: 1460-1600
ACT Mid-Range: 32-35
3. Princeton University
Average SAT Score: 1480
SAT Mid-Range: 1460-1600
ACT Mid-Range: 32-35
3. Harvard University
Average SAT Score: 1481
SAT Mid-Range: 1470-1600
ACT Mid-Range: 32-35
2. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Average SAT Score: 1493
SAT Mid-Range: 1490-1590
ACT Mid-Range: 33-35
1. University of Chicago
Average SAT Score: 1493
SAT Mid-Range: 1490-1600
ACT Mid-Range: 33-35
Note that this top 10 doesn’t exactly mirror the top 10 in the U.S. News Rankings of National Universities, nor its list of 10 Universities Where the Fewest Applicants Get In. But these schools represent an entire tier of schools where exceedingly high SAT & ACT scores are no guarantee of entrance but merely part of the price of admission. Don’t expect these colleges to go test-optional any time soon. Students looking to study at schools like these better start studying!
Mike Bergin