SAT/ACT self report or not?

[amherstdad1678]

On Princeton’s website about score report:

“If submitting an official score report is a financial hardship, we will still review applications with self-reported scores.”

Our family is low to middle income (but more towards the low end given the high cost of living in my city). We can afford to send in official score report if we have to. But if given the choice, I’d rather not spending the money, especially given that ACT charges by the number of scores and not by schools. But I am concerned that if I self report the ACT/SAT scores, and Princeton later determined that my family isn’t dirt poor, will they penalize me for being dishonest or something?

Same thing goes for not taking the SAT/ACT writing test, or not taking the SAT subject tests. In both of these cases, the way Princeton put it seems to indicate that if there is a financial hardship, they will not require the ACT/SAT writing or SAT subject tests.

Basically I am just a little concerned that Princeton will be the arbiter of “financial hardship” when comes application time. The school could decide whether I have “taken advantage of the opportunities available” given the financial situation of my family. Be it sports, music, other extracurriculars, or simple things like which standardized tests I have taken, or whether I choose to self report or not. I don’t want Princeton to think I am a slacker or a cheat given my family’s financial “resources” as determined some Princeton metrics.

[Dolemite]

Are you getting a Fee Waiver for the Application Fee? If so, I wouldn’t worry about it. If you don’t know how to get a Fee Waiver here is the info on the Princeton Website:

Fee Waiver
We want to make sure that Princeton is accessible to all candidates, regardless of their individual family’s financial situation. If you are from a low-income background, or if the application fee is a hardship for your family, and you are applying for financial aid, Princeton will waive your application fee. Additionally, we will waive the application fee for all candidates who are serving or have served in the U.S. military. You may submit a fee waiver one of two ways:

Select the fee waiver option on the Common Application, Coalition Application or the Universal College Application. Your college or guidance counselor must approve your fee waiver request online or submit your fee waiver form by mail or fax.
Select one of the following fee waiver options on the Princeton Supplement: Princeton-specific, ACT, College Board, NACAC or Realize Your College Potential. All low-income students are eligible for the Princeton-specific fee waiver. In addition, all applicants who are serving or have served in the U.S. military are eligible for the Princeton-specific fee waiver. If you use the Princeton-specific fee waiver, you do not need to get approval from your college counselor. Students named QuestBridge Finalists should select the QuestBridge fee waiver.

Upon submission of your Common Application, Coalition Application or Universal College Application with the Princeton Supplement, the checklist in your Princeton Applicant Portal will reflect that your fee waiver has been granted. Please note that applying for a fee waiver will not disadvantage your application in any way.