* The college's selectivity: Highly selective colleges (like Ivy League schools and other top universities) tend to have much higher average SAT scores among their admitted students than less selective colleges.
* Your overall application: Colleges consider your entire application, not just your SAT score. Grades, extracurricular activities, essays, letters of recommendation, and demonstrated interest all play a significant role. A strong application can sometimes offset a slightly lower SAT score, while a weak application can hurt your chances even with a high score.
* Your intended major: Some majors, particularly those in STEM fields, may have higher average SAT scores among admitted students.
Instead of looking for a magic number, it's best to:
1. Research the colleges you're interested in: Check their websites for information on average SAT scores of admitted students. This gives you a general idea of the range, but remember it's an *average*.
2. Consider the holistic review process: Focus on building a strong application in all areas, not just focusing solely on the SAT.
3. Look at the range, not just the average: College websites often provide a range of SAT scores for admitted students. Being within that range significantly improves your chances.
In short, there's no single answer. Do your research on specific colleges to understand their expectations.