Is a 1480 SAT score competitive?

A 1480 SAT score is highly competitive and places you in approximately the 99th percentile of all test takers. This means you scored better than about 99% of students who took the SAT, making it an excellent score that will strengthen your college applications at most institutions.

For context, this score is well above the average SAT scores at many top-tier universities. Most colleges outside the most selective institutions in the country consider a 1480 to be an outstanding score. Even at highly competitive schools like Northwestern, Duke, and Cornell, a 1480 falls comfortably within their middle 50% range of admitted students.

Whether you should retake the SAT depends primarily on your target schools. If you're aiming for universities like MIT, CalTech, or Ivy League institutions where the middle 50% of admitted students score between 1500-1570, you might consider retaking the test. However, the potential benefit of raising your score must be weighed against the time and energy that could be spent strengthening other parts of your application.

Your time might be better invested in developing other aspects of your college application, such as maintaining strong grades, pursuing meaningful extracurricular activities, or crafting compelling essays. Remember that standardized test scores are just one component of your application, and many colleges take a holistic approach to admissions decisions.

With a 1480, you're already in an excellent position for most selective colleges and merit scholarship consideration. Focus on finding schools that align with your academic interests, career goals, and personal preferences rather than letting test scores alone drive your college search process.