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Concerned about School Reporting SAT on Transcript

runnerxcrunnerxc Registered User Posts: 399 Member
edited October 2012 in Harvard University
I have taken the SAT twice. Each time, I did not realize that sending my scores to my high school would be a bad thing. Now, I've learned that my school lists ALL SAT scores on the transcript and refuses to take them off (they claim they aren't allowed to remove SAT scores).

I'm really mad now because I got a 2180 the first time and a 2350 after a little bit of prep. Obviously I'd like to only send in the 2350. I did better on each section (so I wouldn't superscore by sending the 2180).

I just don't want an adcom to be swayed negatively if they see the lower score on my transcript :(

What should I do? They say they only consider the highest scores but I'm still concerned that it could give the person reading my app a less positive view of me. I have pushed my counselor to take the 2180 off but she will not budge.

Also, should I send official reports of both scores? I don't want them to consider the 2180 (even if they'll see it), so should I just send the official report of the 2350? Or will that make it look like I'm trying to hide a score? I know I'm probably overthinking this but I am just so stressed out right now.
Post edited by runnerxc on
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Replies to: Concerned about School Reporting SAT on Transcript

  • runnerxcrunnerxc Registered User Posts: 399 Member
    Also, I have a question about applying EA vs. RD. I would love to apply EA so that I can get a decision early. The problem is, I'm planning to complete my Eagle Scout project this winter and earn the Eagle Scout award.

    Should I apply early (in which case I'd send technical drawings and plans of the project I plan to build) or should I wait to apply regular just so I can say that I completed the project?

    Appreciate all of your answers
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  • xrCalico23xrCalico23 Registered User Posts: 4,673 Senior Member
    I don't think the lower score makes any difference, but by law your high school cannot release your academic record without your permission. If you specifically bring up this issue as "I do not consent to having my standardized test scores released to third parties" to your principal or guidance counselor, I have a feeling that they will give in and make arrangement to have it removed. It will probably be some kind of compromise based on school policy, i.e. if they remove one score they have to take off all the scores, etc.

    Harvard only considers your highest score. They "only consider your highest score".
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  • runnerxcrunnerxc Registered User Posts: 399 Member
    I want to, but the last thing I want to do is annoy my GC who has to write me a rec :(

    If I keep them on there, should I send both official reports?
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  • runnerxcrunnerxc Registered User Posts: 399 Member
    And how could they only consider your highest score? That means anyone could take the SAT 10 times until they got a score they were happy with. I find it hard to believe that a lower score wouldn't influence an adcom's decision, but I hope you're right
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  • xrCalico23xrCalico23 Registered User Posts: 4,673 Senior Member
    Guidance counselors are there to solve problems, aren't they? There's no need to send official scores for both, unless you want to for some reason: without an official score report for the lower score it'll show up on your file as "unofficial".

    If I see a 2000 then a 2300, I would assume the 2300 is your true performance and the 2000 the fluke, not the other way around.

    The second question is so much more complicated because you're balancing a lot of different factors. It's a tradeoff. Your decision. What a difficult choice! :)
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  • runnerxcrunnerxc Registered User Posts: 399 Member
    Thank you for the help :)
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  • notjoenotjoe Registered User Posts: 1,181 Senior Member
    Most schools "superscore" your SAT, or, in your case, will just look at your second score of 2350. Why? They're looking for your potential, your reach, how far you can go when you're at your best. If you get a 2180 and then a 2350, obviously the 2180 doesn't represent how far you can go when you're at your best.

    Places like Harvard are for students who routinely reach for the stars, and have a good chance of grasping a few. It doesn't make sense for them to look at a single result that doesn't represent your best work.

    As for students who might re-take the test over and over, who cares? A student who scores a 1800 the first time, does some prep, and scores a 2000 the second time probably isn't ever going to break 2100. And even if he takes it 10 times, he's never going to get close to 2300.

    Some additional work may very well improve your score, even substantially, but the student's scores will not continue to go up indefinitely. Trees don't grow to the sky. A student's scores will plateau as his scores come to reflect his full ability.

    And that's kinda what Harvard and similar schools want to see: the student's full ability. Because, for the folks they accept, that's what they're looking to engage - the student's full ability.

    I wouldn't worry at all about this.
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  • jimmypodjimmypod - Posts: 303 Member
    Are you kidding?

    Keep that 2180 on there. If anything, it shows massive improvement. It provides a deeper insight on your progress. It should be a good thing that you have that low score there.
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  • perridotperridot Registered User Posts: 52 Junior Member
    Like everyone else has said, I wouldn't fret too much about your 2180... it's still a great score, and the 2350 really does show your potential and what you're capable of. :)

    As for your EA/RD problem, if you really want to get the results early, I would suggest making a point to say that you're continuing your Eagle Scouts through the winter and are *anticipating* getting the award in the winter. Also send your drawings, if you wish.
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  • SikorskySikorsky Registered User Posts: 5,851 Senior Member
    Keep that 2180 on there. If anything, it shows massive improvement. It provides a deeper insight on your progress. It should be a good thing that you have that low score there.

    I don't think you have a serious problem, but this advice is just plain silly. By this reasoning, you should have gotten several D's freshman year, too, so you could have shown serious improvement.

    "Progress" and "improvement" are surely good. I cannot think of many instances, however, in which they are better than having been excellent from the start and having continued to excel.
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  • HarvardParentHarvardParent Registered User Posts: 184 Junior Member
    You did not need to fret over the SAT scores on your transcript and you definitely needs to avoid antagonizing the GC as your recommendation letters and the secondary school report will be more critical than the SAT score (given your best score is 2350).
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