<p>Colleges do have an * in lists like US News College Guide to show they are optional and the SAT ratios will be “off”. I think most people know that is the case and hopefully you aren’t using that guide only to apply to the college.
I realized when I looked into SAT optional and aid, that many schools will accept students, but not really count their grades toward any merit aid, which to me, although understanding their reasons, seems to smack more of manipulating rank or attracting full frieight students that didn’t test as well.
Some colleges though, like Drew, Providence, Smith and others, accept and give merit based on your grades and recs and strength of classes. I know of two students at least that proved that to be the case, it might not be the majority of course, but at least they “walk the walk” to some degree.</p>
<p>Fa-la-la-lena, I agree with your points, but some schools like Providence tell you a cut-off…he said 550 and below, so they don’t know exactly, just have an idea. (That was 550 for all areas, not one.)</p>