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Colleges You Can Get Into With a 1350 SAT Score: Best Reach, Match & Likely Schools

Updated 5 min read
Colleges You Can Get Into With a 1350 SAT Score: Best Reach, Match & Likely Schools

A 1350 SAT score is a strong achievement that places you well above the national average. It demonstrates solid academic readiness and makes you a competitive applicant for many respected colleges and universities across the United States.

While Ivy League schools and the most selective universities may still be highly competitive, a 1350 SAT score provides access to numerous excellent public universities, private colleges, honors programs, and merit scholarship opportunities.

The key to success isn't simply choosing the highest-ranked colleges—it's building a balanced college list that matches your academic profile, career goals, interests, and financial needs.

Is a 1350 SAT Score Good?

Yes.

A 1350 SAT score generally places students in approximately the top 10–15% of SAT test takers, making it a competitive score for many institutions.

Beyond your SAT score, admissions officers also evaluate:

  • High school GPA
  • Course rigor (AP, IB, Honors)
  • Extracurricular activities
  • Leadership experience
  • Community service
  • Essays
  • Letters of recommendation

Strong performance across these areas can significantly improve your admission chances.

Colleges You Can Get Into With a 1350 SAT Score

Reach Schools

Reach schools are colleges where your SAT score falls near or slightly below the middle 50% of admitted students. Admission is possible but more competitive.

Examples include:

  • New York University (NYU)
  • Boston University
  • University of Southern California (USC)
  • University of Florida

To improve your chances, focus on:

  • Outstanding personal essays
  • Leadership experience
  • Rigorous coursework
  • Meaningful extracurricular involvement

Match Schools

Match schools are institutions where your SAT score aligns closely with the average admitted student.

Good options include:

  • Pennsylvania State University
  • University of Massachusetts Amherst
  • Michigan State University
  • University of Connecticut

At these universities, a 1350 SAT score may also strengthen eligibility for:

  • Merit scholarships
  • Honors colleges
  • Competitive academic programs

Likely Schools

Likely, schools are colleges where your SAT score is comfortably above the average admitted range.

Examples include:

  • University of Arizona
  • Arizona State University
  • University of Oregon
  • Temple University

Many schools likely offer:

  • Excellent research opportunities
  • Internship programs
  • Strong career services
  • Generous merit aid

Never overlook these institutions—they often provide outstanding educational value.

What Admissions Officers Look for Beyond SAT Scores

Colleges increasingly use a holistic admissions process, meaning your SAT score is only one part of your application.

Admissions officers also consider:

Academic Consistency

Maintaining strong grades throughout high school demonstrates long-term dedication.

Challenging Coursework

Advanced Placement (AP), IB, Honors, and dual-enrollment classes show academic readiness.

Extracurricular Impact

Quality matters more than quantity. Leadership, research, athletics, volunteering, and creative pursuits all strengthen your application.

Personal Essays

Your essays allow colleges to understand your personality, goals, and resilience.

Letters of Recommendation

Thoughtful recommendations from teachers and counselors add valuable context to your academic achievements.

Should You Retake the SAT?

The answer depends on your college goals.

Consider retaking the SAT if:

  • Your dream schools typically admit students with SAT scores above 1450.
  • You know where you lost points.
  • You have enough time to prepare effectively.

You may not need to retake the exam if:

  • Your target schools already fall within your score range.
  • Your application is strong in other areas.
  • You prefer spending time on essays, applications, or extracurricular activities.

Students typically improve more by focusing on specific weaknesses rather than simply taking more practice tests.

Areas to target include:

  • Algebra
  • Data Analysis
  • Reading comprehension
  • Grammar
  • Time management
  • Digital SAT adaptive strategies

Example: Building a Balanced College List

A student with a 1350 SAT score could consider:

CategoryExample CollegesReachNYU, USC, Boston UniversityMatchPenn State, UMass Amherst, Michigan StateLikelyArizona State, University of Arizona, Temple University

Having schools across all three categories increases your chances of receiving multiple admission offers.

Final Thoughts

A 1350 SAT score gives you access to many outstanding colleges and universities.

Rather than focusing solely on rankings, build a balanced application that highlights your academic achievements, extracurricular involvement, essays, and personal growth.

With thoughtful planning and realistic expectations, a 1350 SAT score can become the foundation for excellent college opportunities.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a 1350 SAT score considered good?

Yes. It is well above the national average and competitive for many respected colleges.

Can I get merit scholarships with a 1350 SAT score?

Yes. Many universities offer merit-based scholarships when a strong SAT score is paired with an excellent GPA and extracurricular achievements.

Should I submit a 1350 SAT score to test-optional colleges?

In many cases, yes. A 1350 SAT score can strengthen your application, particularly if it is above the college's typical admitted range.

How much can I improve by retaking the SAT?

Many students improve by 50–150 points with focused preparation, personalized study plans, and targeted practice.

Does a 1350 SAT guarantee admission?

No. Admissions decisions also consider GPA, coursework, essays, recommendations, extracurriculars, and institutional priorities.

How Prepitus Can Help

Planning for college is about more than achieving a strong SAT score. Prepitus helps students build personalized SAT preparation strategies, create balanced college lists, strengthen applications, and discover scholarship and college admission opportunities—so they can make confident decisions throughout the admissions journey.

10. FAQ Section

  1. Is a 1350 SAT score good for college admissions?
  2. Which colleges accept students with a 1350 SAT score?
  3. Can a 1350 SAT score help me earn scholarships?
  4. Should I retake the SAT after scoring 1350?
  5. Do colleges consider more than SAT scores?
  6. How can Prepitus help improve my college admissions strategy?

Ready to plan your college journey?

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