* GPA: Your high school academic record is crucial.
* Course rigor: The difficulty of your classes (AP, IB, etc.) matters significantly.
* Essays: Your personal essays provide a chance to showcase your personality, experiences, and goals.
* Extracurricular activities: Demonstrated leadership, commitment, and passion in extracurriculars are important.
* Letters of recommendation: Strong recommendations from teachers and counselors can make a big difference.
* Background and context: The admissions committee considers your unique background and circumstances.
While you'll find some students admitted with SAT scores in the 1500s, a score below 1400 would significantly decrease your chances at *any* Ivy League school, and even a 1400+ score is no guarantee. Focusing solely on a minimum score is misleading. The focus should be on achieving the *highest* score possible while maintaining a well-rounded application.