To find colleges that might be a good fit, you should:
* Use college search websites: Websites like the Common App, Naviance (if your high school uses it), College Board's BigFuture, and Peterson's allow you to filter colleges based on SAT scores and other criteria. Input your score and see what comes up. Remember that these are just averages and ranges; some colleges might accept you even if you are below their average.
* Look at college profiles: Once you have a list of potential colleges, examine their individual websites. Look for information about their average SAT/ACT scores for admitted students. Keep in mind that the average is often higher than the lowest score accepted. Colleges often publish their middle 50% range, showing the scores of the middle half of their accepted students.
* Consider less selective colleges: A 980 is below the national average. Therefore, focus your search on colleges that are less selective. This may include:
* Public universities: Many state universities have a broader range of accepted SAT scores. However, competitive state schools might still be a challenge.
* Smaller liberal arts colleges: Some smaller colleges may place less emphasis on standardized test scores.
* Colleges with open admissions: These colleges generally accept most applicants who meet basic requirements.
Important Note: Don't solely focus on SAT scores. Colleges look at the whole application. A strong application with a lower SAT score might still be accepted by a college than a weaker application with a higher SAT score. Focus on building a well-rounded application to maximize your chances. Finally, remember that some colleges are test-optional or test-blind, meaning they don't require or consider SAT scores at all in their admissions process. Those could be great options to explore!