Debruns

When I had a post about merit and SAT optional, I hunted around and found 5 or 6 schools with clear explanations, about 3 I had to call and ask and others were vague ( I hate vague)
I admired colleges like Smith or Drew that said, Yes to merit and others that said No, at least it was clear. You can disagree, but you know. I really think it looks skeptical to not say one way or the other, they want the applications no matter what.

yabeyabe2

I think it is clear that not submitting scores will likely not help your chances. I think the key question is what percentile of their scores will they assume your scores are if you do not submit them. I think it is clear they will not assume they are above their 50th percentile; but will they assume 35th? 25th? 10th?

And what about if only your SAT I writing score is your weakness? Do many colleges still stick to the 2 traditional scores?

Debruns

I want to feel that with colleges that have long-standing SAT optional choices, that they don't consider it a disadvantage and some have reports showing no real difference in performance later. The "newer" schools, some which might be using it as a tool, it might be harder to judge. I think though, that if they have the student's grades, along with a couple of graded papers, showing how that teacher marked, along with teacher recs, they can get a good overall perspective. Guessing at the SAT score seems to discount the whole process, although I know it must happen.
I think the essay section is hard, in one way it's not a good judge, but it's the only essay,( unless you send a graded essay) that could not be altered. The admission essay, although important, is not always just submitted by students. Many, depending on the school system, students wealth/background, will have it checked by parents, teachers, paid admission counselors, sometimes online essay business's that edit and send it back for a fee,etc. This is not an unusual occurence and I heard one college rep saying if the two essays seem vastly different, a flag goes up. On the other hand, some say they don't look at it....who knows, it's hard to say you don't see a number, like "unringing a bell".