Should I Submit My SAT Scores If They Are Average?

When It Makes Sense

• Good fit: You are applying to test‑optional or test‑flexible schools that allow scores but do not require them, and your average SAT still meets or exceeds the median of admitted students for those institutions. Submitting can demonstrate that you meet the baseline and keep scholarship options open.
• Good fit: You are applying for merit‑based scholarships or program‑specific awards that use SAT scores as one eligibility factor. Even an average score may satisfy the minimum threshold and give you a chance at financial aid that you would otherwise forgo.

When You Should Avoid It

• Warning sign: The schools on your target list are highly selective and publicly disclose that the middle 50% SAT range lies well above your average score. Submitting could place you below the applicant pool’s typical academic profile.
• Warning sign: You are applying to a program that explicitly states a preference for higher test performance (e.g., engineering or highly quantitative majors) and uses scores to screen candidates. In this case, omission may be better than presenting a comparatively low score.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Provides a concrete, standardized data point that can reinforce other strengths such as GPA, extracurriculars, or essays.
• Keeps eligibility for any scholarship or merit‑based financial aid that requires a submitted score, potentially reducing tuition costs.

Cons

• If the score is below the median of admitted students, it may lower your overall competitiveness, especially at schools that consider scores heavily.
• Submitting could shift admissions committees’ focus away from qualitative aspects of your application, leading to an unintended negative bias.

Decision Checklist

• Does the college’s admissions policy list a median SAT range, and does your score meet or exceed that range?
• Are there scholarships or program requirements that mandate a submitted SAT score?
• Will omitting the score allow other strengths (e.g., high GPA, leadership) to stand out more prominently?

Alternatives to Consider

Instead of submitting average SAT scores, you might opt to send a score‑choice report highlighting your strongest section, request superscoring (if available), or focus on strengthening other application components such as a compelling personal statement, robust recommendation letters, or a portfolio relevant to your intended major.

Final Recommendation

For most applicants with average SAT scores, the safest path is to review each target school’s explicit policies and the role scores play in scholarship eligibility. If the score aligns with or exceeds the school’s typical range, or if it unlocks financial aid, submission is advisable. When the score falls well below the median for a highly selective institution, consider omitting it and emphasizing other strengths. When uncertainty remains, consult a college admissions counselor to weigh the specifics of your application.