International students wishing to study in the United States should be aware of the SATs, it is a standardized university entrance test conducted mainly in the US and around the world for US bound college applicants. It is of importance to note that the structure and pattern of the SAT exams are consistent in its questions and conditions for admission. The SATs aren’t necessarily a test of knowledge, but a measure of how much you prepare for it. For guidance on how to prepare for the exams, kindly visit the official College Board website. Admission into American universities are based primarily based on the SAT scores, although a couple of colleges apply a test flexible scheme in their admission process. However, most students wishing to get acceptance and adequate financial aid into prestigious American universities cannot evade the SATs. Thus, the SATs remain one of the populous standardized examinations in the world.
Study abroad 365 has compiled a comprehensive list of top 15 American Universities and their SAT scores.
| College | SAT Total | SAT Critical Reading | SAT Math |
| Harvard University | 2070 – 2350 | 690 – 780 | 690 – 790 |
| Stanford University | 2010 – 2300 | 660 – 760 | 680 – 780 |
| Yale University | 2100 – 2370 | 700 – 800 | 700 – 780 |
| Princeton University | 2090 – 2360 | 690 – 790 | 700 – 790 |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology | 2030 – 2320 | 650 – 760 | 720 – 800 |
| Columbia University | 2050 – 2320 | 680 – 770 | 680 – 780 |
| Brown University | 1990 – 2300 | 650 – 760 | 670 – 770 |
| California Institute of Technology | 2140 – 2340 | 690 – 770 | 770 – 800 |
| University of Pennsylvania | 2020 – 2290 | 660 – 750 | 690 – 780 |
| Georgetown University | 1965 – 2235 | 650 – 740 | 660 – 750 |
| Cornell University | 1935 – 2250 | 630 – 730 | 660 – 770 |
| University of California-Berkeley | 1800 – 2170 | 580 – 700 | 620 – 760 |
| Washington University in St Louis | 2085 – 2295 | 680 – 750 | 710 – 780 |
| Rice University | 1970 – 2270 | 640 – 750 | 680 – 780 |
| Duke University | 2000 – 2300 | 660 – 760 | 680 – 780 |
APPLICATION DEADLINES:
Early decision: November 15
Early decision 2: January 15
Regular decision: January 15
FINANCIAL AID
Many US colleges give financial aid to their international students. When submitting your application, remember to fill and submit the online financial aid CSS profile. The financial aid awarded any student would be based on his financial need (for need based colleges), quality of application and academic portfolio (SATs, recommendations and transcripts).