ED and Nov. SAT Scores

October's Child · 10-23-2009, 02:54 AM

Hey! I have a bit of a problem I'm hoping someone can help me with. I've almost completely decided to go for an ED [I <3 Smith!!] but the problem is.. I'm sitting for my SATs this November so I won't have my scores at the time of my application. I've e-mailed Admissions twice to ask if they accept scores throughout November or not but each time, I get what seems like an automated message telling me all about ED II.

The thing is I really want to apply ED I and ED II somewhere else if I get rejected from Smith [which is an honest possibility =(].

Does anyone know if Smith accepts November scores? Do I put a "rush" on the scores?

I could really need some help! Thank you! =)

sciencegal · 10-23-2009, 07:15 AM

I don't know -- but you should definitely call admissions sometime during business hours (I think they close at 4:30). I had questions about my application and they were very helpful. You could also try e-mailing your specific admissions person if you haven't already -- you can look on the list and find out what person responds to your geographic area.

Here is the page where the number and e-mails are listed.
Smith College: For First-Year Students: Meet our Staff

Good luck!

SmithieandProud · 10-23-2009, 07:46 AM

I would call admissions, not email. But if you keep getting that message, it's probably because you need to either have your scores in by deadline, or apply ED II

October's Child · 10-23-2009, 09:08 AM

Okay, maybe I'm being incredibly stupid but what do you understand from this message?

Quote:

Greetings from Smith College!
Please keep in mind that there are three application deadline dates to consider when applying. Smith offers, Early Decision I, Early Decision II and Regular Decision. However, if the required scores are not in by the deadline that you choose then your application can not be considered. You may want to put a rush on the scores being sent.

As far as I know, colleges don't generally like the rush service so I want to be sure that they are asking me to rush my scores.

I would call them but there's a massive time difference between the US and here so it's a bit of a problem. Oh well, I guess I'll just have to do it anyways!

Thanks for the help!!
If anyone has anything more to add, please do!

SmithieandProud · 10-23-2009, 10:08 AM

Well, the email sounds pretty clear to me, so maybe you don't need to call after all.

Basically they're saying that you scores need to be in (as in received) by Smith by the ED deadline you've chosen. If you have to put a rush on them to make that happen, then either rush them, or consider a later deadline.

October's Child · 10-23-2009, 10:18 AM

Okay, I'm terribly embarrassed now :$ [I blame application stress! -_-]

I guess I'll just rush my scores then... Thank you, SmithieandProud!

overwhelmedma · 10-23-2009, 11:33 AM

Hi Oct - My D was in the same position and did rush her scores and Smith was fine with that. However be aware there is a lag time between when they get scores and when they log them in on the bannerweb. it looked like hers hadn't shown up on time but she called the admissions office who confirmed they had. You might want to follow up as well since the turn around is so short.

TheDad · 10-23-2009, 02:48 PM

What OWM said about Bannerweb. We called 2-3 times because things that we were sure were in hadn't been logged and were showing as outstanding. I'd like to say with benefit of hindsight that I would have been more relaxed about if if I knew what I knew now but this is one of those cases where Murphy can be powerful.

Some day I should sit down with what remains of my memory and sort through and triage the things we thought were such a big deal at the time, classifying them as Really Were A Big Deal, Weren't Such A Big Deal, and You've Got To Be Kidding.

mini · 10-23-2009, 03:56 PM

(Actually, I have a magazine column that does that - it's called "What Really Matters".)

TheDad · 10-24-2009, 03:16 AM

What magazine?

October's Child · 10-24-2009, 03:57 AM

Will rushing the scores really make a big difference? The Nov. results are e-mailed to colleges on November 24th and Smith's deadline is November 15th. How much difference can 9 days make? Mt. Holyoke and some other colleges accept scores throughout November...

Oh well, anything for Smtih! =)

And TheDad, mini, I think that would be a very helpful column!!

Thanks for the heads-up, overwhelmedma!

SmithieandProud · 10-24-2009, 10:09 AM

It will matter. Your application won't be complete by deadline and so it won't be considered for ED I. Colleges pay attention to those who follow direction and those that don't, so if they directed you to rush your scores, then I would just follow procedure.

MeredithBelle · 10-24-2009, 03:31 PM

uhhhhhh you do know the Smith admissions app is now SAT optional, right? So I honestly wouldn't even bother stressing out about sending your SAT scores, since if they don't mandate them, it shows how much they care.

TheDad · 10-24-2009, 03:56 PM

Oh, they care. Minimally, for statistical purposes. And while they are not a required component for admissions, I'm certain that they are one of the elements considered for Smith's merit aid scholarships. So, yes, getting the scores in for consideration can matter.

October's Child · 10-25-2009, 08:53 AM

MeredithBelle : I'm an international. It's required for me

I'm hoping that the fact that it's optional for US citizens shows that they don't care too much. In other words, I hope they consider other things above my SATs because I'm pretty much terrible at it.

Again, I'd like to thank everyone for their help!