A 1470 SAT score places you near the top of the national applicant pool. Only about 1 to 2% of SAT takers score at this level each year, according to recent College Board data. That means 1470 places you among the highest-performing students nationwide.
For many selective universities, a 1470 SAT score sits within or above the middle 50% range of admitted students. At large public flagships, this score often places you near the top of the applicant pool.
Before you decide where to apply, you need a clear understanding of what a 1470 SAT actually means in college admissions. We’ll walk you through everything you need to know.
Is a 1470 SAT Score Good?
Excellent.
A 1470 SAT score is considered excellent by nearly every college in the United States. It places you in the 97th to 99th percentile, meaning you performed better than almost all test takers nationwide.
For context, the national average SAT score is roughly 1050, and most students fall within a wide midrange of 900 to 1200. Scoring 1470 puts you well above that baseline and signals advanced academic preparation.
Colleges read this score as a strong indicator of your academic readiness. It shows that you understand complex reading passages, can write with precision, and can work through high-level math concepts without support.
At selective universities, where admitted students typically score in the upper 1300s and 1400s, a 1470 SAT fits squarely in the competitive range.
Most admissions offices interpret a 1470 as:
- Strong evidence of college-level readiness,
- A sign of consistent academic habits,
- A competitive result for Top 30 schools,
- A potentially strategic score to submit even at Top 20 institutions
Some Ivy League and top-tier STEM schools (like MIT or Caltech) report middle ranges above 1500, but a 1470 SAT score is still a meaningful credential if paired with high rigor, strong grades, and impactful extracurriculars.
What Colleges Can You Get Into With a 1470 SAT Score?
At most Top 30 universities, a 1470 SAT score sits inside or just below the middle 50% range.
At Top 40 to 60 schools, a 1470 SAT is often above average. And at a small number of highly selective institutions, it is competitive but not guaranteed.
Each school below includes the context you need to evaluate your chances.
1. Dartmouth College
Dartmouth reports a middle 50% SAT range roughly between 1470 and 1560. A 1470 SAT score places you inside that range, which means your score aligns with the academic expectations of admitted students. Because Dartmouth admits around 6% of applicants, your GPA, course rigor, essays, and recommendations will carry significant weight.
Dartmouth expects strong performance in demanding courses, especially in English and math. A 1470 is one signal of readiness for its fast-paced curriculum, but colleges at this level expect sustained academic strength across all four years of high school.
2. Georgetown University
Georgetown’s middle SAT range typically falls between 1400 and 1540. A 1470 SAT score sits comfortably in the middle. Georgetown places heavy emphasis on academic rigor, long-term commitment to activities, and strong writing in the essays. Your score demonstrates that you meet the baseline academic expectations for most of its undergraduate programs.
Because Georgetown requires all applicants to submit scores, a 1470 becomes an important part of your academic profile. It signals to the admissions committee that you’re prepared for Georgetown’s writing-intensive and globally focused curriculum.
3. University of Virginia (UVA)
UVA’s middle 50% SAT range often falls between 1410 and 1520. A 1470 SAT score sits close to the upper end of this range, making it competitive for both the College of Arts and Sciences and many selective majors.
UVA evaluates students within the context of their high school. A 1470 paired with strong grades in advanced courses, especially AP or IB, strengthens your profile. Engineering, commerce, and pre-med tracks at UVA are more competitive, so subject strength matters as much as the overall score.
4. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC)
UIUC reports an SAT range around 1390 to 1510 for many of its programs. A 1470 SAT score sits near the top. This positions you well for admission to most colleges within the university.
However, UIUC’s engineering, computer science, and data science programs are significantly more competitive. For these majors, applicants often present scores in the upper 1400s or low 1500s. A 1470 is still competitive, but your math performance, course rigor, and CS- or STEM-based extracurriculars will matter.
5. Rutgers University
Rutgers’ middle 50% SAT range generally falls between 1240 and 1470. A 1470 SAT score places you right at the top of the admitted range. This gives you a strong academic foundation, especially for selective programs such as engineering, business, or biology.
For Rutgers, your GPA, class rank, and senior course load often determine placement into honors programs or merit scholarships. A 1470 strengthens those opportunities and signals that you are well-prepared for the academic expectations of the university.
6. University of Massachusetts Amherst (UMass Amherst)
UMass Amherst reports SAT ranges around 1330 to 1480. A 1470 SAT score sits in the typical admitted range. This gives you a clear academic advantage. Students with higher scores often receive consideration for the Commonwealth Honors College or merit-based financial support.
Competitive majors such as computer science, nursing, and engineering may push expected ranges higher. A 1470 supports a strong application to these programs but should be paired with rigorous coursework and strong performance in STEM classes.
7. College of William & Mary
William & Mary generally reports SAT ranges between 1390 and 1520. A 1470 SAT sits in the upper portion of this range. This score aligns well with the academic profile of students admitted to this public research university.
William & Mary places weight on writing, analytical thinking, and sustained commitment to activities. A 1470 demonstrates academic readiness, but the school also values students who show initiative in research, leadership, or community-based work.
8. Santa Clara University
Santa Clara’s average SAT range is typically 1360 to 1480. A 1470 SAT score places you close to the top. This gives you a competitive foundation for many majors across the university, including business and engineering.
Because Santa Clara values academic rigor and personal initiative, a 1470 paired with strong coursework and purposeful activities strengthens your application. Competitive applicants often show engagement in business, engineering, service, or innovation-focused projects.
9. Case Western Reserve University
Case Western reports an SAT range around 1450 to 1530. A 1470 SAT score sits solidly within the middle range, making you a strong academic candidate. Your math score will matter more for STEM programs such as engineering, computer science, biology, or pre-med.
Case Western emphasizes research potential and interest in hands-on learning. A 1470 supports your academic readiness, but demonstrating problem-solving, scientific curiosity, or sustained interest in STEM activities elevates your application further.
10. Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT)
RIT reports SAT ranges between 1300 and 1430 for many programs, placing a 1470 SAT score above the typical range. This positions you well for admission across most majors, and it may lead to merit scholarship consideration.
STEM and design programs at RIT are highly specialized. Your transcript, portfolio (if applicable), and math performance will remain important factors. A 1470 provides a strong academic foundation.
11. Stanford University
Stanford typically reports SAT ranges between 1470 and 1570. A 1470 SAT score sits at the lower boundary of that range. It is still competitive, but Stanford’s 3–4% admission rate means your outcome will depend heavily on your transcript, essays, and impact outside the classroom.
A 1470 works best when paired with top-tier rigor, strong grades in advanced STEM or humanities courses, and sustained achievement in research, leadership, or creative work.
How Colleges View a 1470 SAT Score
Colleges evaluate your 1470 through several lenses:
1. Competitiveness
A 1470 typically signals advanced academic readiness.
2. Consistency with GPA
If your GPA is strong (3.8–4.0+ unweighted), the score reinforces your academic record. If your GPA is lower, the score can help balance your profile.
3. Fit for your intended major
For example:
- Engineering majors value strong math subscores
- Humanities majors value strong reading/writing subscores
4. Context
Colleges review your high school’s profile. They consider:
- The rigor available
- Grade distributions
- Typical test scores
A 1470 stands out more at schools with limited access to AP/IB programs.
Should You Submit a 1470 to Test-Optional Schools?
At most selective test-optional universities, a 1470 SAT score is a score worth submitting. It strengthens your academic narrative and shows mastery of college-level skills.
Submit your 1470 when:
- Your score is at or above the school’s middle 50%
- Your GPA supports your testing performance
- Your academic trend is strong
- Your course rigor is high
Hold your score only if:
- Your GPA is significantly stronger than your SAT
- Your extracurricular record is exceptional AND unmatched by peers
- You are applying to an ultra-selective major with very high testing norms
Most students benefit from submitting a 1470 SAT.
Does a 1470 SAT Score Help With Scholarships?
A 1470 SAT score makes you a competitive candidate for many merit-based scholarships. Most awarding programs look for students in the top 10% of test takers, and a 1470 places you well above that threshold.
Colleges often use SAT scores to identify applicants for:
- University merit scholarships
- Honors college invitations
- Department-specific awards
- Full-tuition or near-full-tuition programs at state flagships
- Private organization scholarships that reward academic excellence
While a 1470 doesn’t guarantee merit aid, it often moves your application into automatic consideration pools. At many universities, students with SAT scores in the 1450–1500 range qualify for priority review. If your GPA, essays, and activities match this score, you may see strong outcomes in both admissions and merit assessment.
How to Strengthen Your Application With a 1470 SAT Score
A 1470 SAT score gives you a strong foundation, but colleges will still evaluate the rest of your application with equal or greater weight. Your goal is to build an academic and personal narrative that shows consistent rigor, clear initiative, and meaningful impact.
Below is the most effective way to improve your application.
1. Align Your Coursework With Your Target Major
Your transcript must match the academic expectations of the schools and majors you choose. Admissions officers look for evidence that you can succeed in the classes you plan to pursue.
Here’s what you can do to align your coursework with your target major:
- Take advanced courses in your intended field
- Maintain or increase rigor through junior and senior year
- Build a balanced schedule that challenges you without causing grade drops
Colleges read your SAT score alongside your coursework. A 1470 demonstrates readiness, but your transcript confirms it.
2. Use Your Extracurriculars to Show Depth, Not Just Activity
With a 1470 SAT score, you stand out academically. Now the question becomes: What do you contribute outside the classroom?
Admissions officers prefer sustained, meaningful involvement over one-off participation. Here are some examples:
- Leading a club for two or more years
- Advancing in research, robotics, debate, or writing
- Founding an initiative that solves a real need
- Community impact that shows commitment, not hours
- Competitions where you show growth, even without winning
Depth demonstrates direction. Colleges want to see how you turn your interests into action.
3. Build a Strong Academic Narrative Through Essays
A 1470 can bring you into the competitive range for selective schools, but your essays determine how an admissions officer understands your voice, values, and goals.
Here’s what your essay should accomplish:
- Show clarity of purpose
- Explain your motivations
- Connect your experiences to your future plans
- Demonstrate reflection, not résumé recitation
Essays help admissions officers see what your transcripts and score cannot: how you think and what you care about.
4. Use Recommendation Letters to Add Context
Strong recommendation letters can elevate your application, especially at selective colleges.
Choose teachers who:
- Know how you work in class
- Can speak to your growth over time
- Understand your strengths, challenges, and character
What great recommendations highlight:
- How you participate
- How you collaborate
- How you approach difficult material
- How you respond to feedback
Colleges look for signs of curiosity, consistency, and resilience — traits not captured in your SAT score.
5. Demonstrate Academic Curiosity Through Enrichment Activities
With a 1470 SAT, colleges expect that you enjoy learning and take initiative outside of assigned coursework.
Possible enrichment paths:
- Research with a professor or mentor
- Summer academic programs
- College courses through dual enrollment
- Competitions or academic Olympiads
- Independent projects that produce tangible work
Even small projects — like coding an app, conducting a local research survey, or writing a short collection of essays — help demonstrate intellectual engagement.
6. Strengthen Your Application Theme or “Spike”
Selective colleges favor applicants who show a coherent, meaningful direction.
Your “spike” might be:
- STEM research
- Writing and humanities leadership
- Community advocacy
- Entrepreneurial projects
- Visual or performing arts
- Public health or social science initiatives
A 1470 SAT score already shows strong reasoning ability. Your spike shows identity, purpose, and potential impact — the qualities selective schools value most.
7. Build a Balanced College List Based on Data
Your 1470 SAT score gives you a wide range of viable options. Your college list should reflect:
- Academic fit
- Personal fit
- Financial fit
- Admission strategy
Suggested approach:
Reach schools (highly selective)
- Dartmouth
- Brown
- Georgetown
- Stanford
- Vanderbilt
Match schools (competitive, but within range)
- UVA
- William & Mary
- Case Western
- Illinois Engineering (lower boundary)
Safety or likely schools (strongly above admitted ranges)
- UMass Amherst
- Rutgers
- RIT
- Santa Clara
A balanced list helps you manage risk and improve acceptance outcomes.
8. Make Your Senior-Year Performance Align With Your Score
A 1470 raises expectations for your academic consistency. Colleges want to see:
- Strong senior fall grades
- Continued rigor
- No drop in effort after applying
A strong senior year shows maturity and academic readiness — two traits admissions officers prioritize.
9. Use Your 1470 Strategically in Test-Optional Admissions
You should almost always submit a 1470, especially when:
- Your GPA is at or near the school’s average
- Your rigor matches your score
- You are targeting Top 40 schools
Only consider withholding your score when:
- Your GPA is significantly higher than your SAT
- Your extracurricular record is unusually strong
- The school is test-optional AND highly selective
- Your intended major reports very high testing ranges
Most students benefit from submitting a 1470.
Use Your 1470 SAT Score Strategically
A 1470 SAT score gives you a strong academic foundation, but colleges will still study the rest of your application to understand your long-term potential. That’s where personalized support makes a meaningful difference.
Each student has a unique academic story, and colleges read your transcript, activities, and essays in context — not in isolation. Our role is to help you present the strongest version of that story.
Empowerly counselors evaluate your application the same way admissions teams do. We look closely at:
- Your academic trend
- Your course rigor
- The opportunities available at your school
- The fit between your goals and your current profile
A 1470 means you’re already performing at a high level. We help you use that score effectively by reviewing how it aligns with your GPA, your intended major, and the testing ranges at your target schools. From there, we guide you in making strategic choices about where to apply, whether to submit your score, and how to fill any gaps in your academic narrative.
You’ll learn how to build a course schedule that challenges you, present your activities with purpose, and write essays that reflect your voice and long-term goals.
If you need guidance on any part of your application, we’ll help you take the next step with clarity.
