What Score Do You Really Need?

Colleges' average test scores vary widely. But if you're gunning for the most selective schools, you've got some work to do.


Did you ever hear the expression, "Wow, that person really has the whole package: looks, brains, money, etc.?"


Well, gaining admission to the nation's most selective universities is similar. You need the whole package: outstanding grades, enthusiastic letters of recommendation, a well-written application essay—and yes, top scores on the SAT or ACT. Here are the average test scores for some of the nation's most elite schools.


School % Accepted Average Test Scores

Harvard
9

SAT: Critical Reading–700-790,
Math–700-790, Writing–700-790
ACT: Composite–30-34


Princeton 9

SAT: Critical Reading–680-800,
Math–690-790, Writing–680-770
ACT: Composite–30-34


Yale 10

SAT: Critical Reading–700-790,
Math–700-790
ACT: Composite–31-34


Columbia 10

SAT: Critical Reading–660-760,
Math–660-760, Writing–660-700
ACT: Composite–28-33
Stanford 11

SAT: Critical Reading–670-760,
Math–680-780, Writing–660-760
ACT: Composite–28-33
MIT 13

SAT: Critical Reading–660-760,
Math–720-800
ACT: Composite–30-34
Brown 14

SAT: Critical Reading–670-760,
Math–680-770, Writing–650-760
ACT: Composite–27-33
Dartmouth 17

SAT: Critical Reading–670-770,
Math–680-780
ACT: Composite–29-34
Penn 18

SAT: Critical Reading–650-740,
Math–680-770, Writing–650-740
ACT: Composite–29-33
Caltech 20

SAT: Critical Reading–700-780,
Math–770-800
Georgetown 22

SAT: Critical Reading–640-750,
Math–650-740
ACT: Composite–27-32
Duke 22

SAT: Critical Reading–690-770,
Math–690-780
ACT: Composite–29-34
University of Chicago 38

SAT: Critical Reading–670-770,
Math–650-760
ACT: Composite–28-33