Is a 1210 SAT Score Competitive?

A 1210 SAT score places you above average nationally, landing in approximately the 78th percentile of all test takers. This means you scored higher than about 78% of students who took the SAT. For many colleges, including large public universities, a 1210 can make you a competitive applicant.

For Penn State University's main campus, a 1210 SAT score falls within their middle 50% range of accepted students, which typically spans from 1150 to 1350. This means you're within the typical range for admitted students, though closer to the lower end. Your competitiveness will also depend heavily on your GPA, extracurricular activities, and other application components.

At the University of Miami, the middle 50% SAT range for admitted students typically falls between 1270 and 1440. Your 1210 score falls slightly below this range, which means you might want to consider retaking the test if Miami is one of your top choice schools. However, remember that test scores are just one part of your application, and strong grades or exceptional extracurricular achievements could help offset a lower test score.

Before deciding to retake the SAT, consider your college list carefully. If you're targeting schools where your score falls below the middle 50% range, and you believe you can improve your score with additional preparation, scheduling another test date could be beneficial. Many students see score improvements of 50-100 points on their second attempt after focused study. However, if you're satisfied with applying to schools where your current score is competitive, you might want to focus your energy on strengthening other aspects of your application instead.