A quick question, my youger son (class of 2029) received 1520 on SAT (first try, he will take another SAT test in his senior year). We know UC is test blind, but can he indirectly “disclose” his SAT score in one of his PIQ essays? Or it’s against UC admission policy, “disclosing” SAT score may risk his UC admission?
Please advise.
Unless the SAT score is part of the PIQ narrative, I would not specifically state the score in the PIQ prompt. Readers are given instructions to ignore the score if it is “indirectly” worked into the essay.
It is important that students understand the purpose of these responses is for admissions readers to get to know them beyond the academics listed on the UC application.
Students should write about what they did, why they did it, what impact it had on others, and what impact the experiences had on themselves.
If the score is high enough to be National Merit Semifinalists/Finalist, should he include it as one of awards or readers just ignore it?
Some Reddit people said reviewers do consider SAT/ACT score if you include it “somewhere” on UC application.
He can list NMF/NMSF on the awards/honors section of the UC application.
Do you think it’s fair for all UC applicants? Less than 1% (1580-1600) is identified as NMF/NMSF, only the top 1% has the privilege to indirectly disclose their SAT score.
This is very true. Using a PIQ to talk about an SAT score that readers are instructed to ignore would be a real waste of PIQ real estate.
I think it is 100% fair. The top 1% should be recognized for their achievement. We are discussing admissions into institutes of higher learning, right?
It is certainly possible that SAT/ACT/PSAT scores will be ignored if disclosed (including indirectly by claiming NM or other PSAT-based status).
I’m confused on the time line. 2029 for HS graduation, as in S29? Or is you kid applying this Fall for College class of 2029, as in S25 aiming for class of 2029?
Either way congrats, 1520 is a great score.
National Merit is based off of the PSAT, not SAT. Putting NMSF in the awards section isn’t a problem. A reader would probably see it as an academic award, similar to a math award, writing award, AP Scholar, etc. Then they look to see what else the student has done with their time outside of the classroom.
Writing a PIQ about an SAT score is, in my opinion, not following the prompt. Other than PIQ #8, I don’t see where mentioning a score would have anything to do with what they are asking for. And… if “Beyond what has already been shared in your application, what do you believe makes you a strong candidate for admissions to the University of California?” is about your SAT score, you’ve basically wasted a PIQ because they already said that they will not consider that information.
The top 1% of SAT test takers have scores in the 1530-1600 for 2023 according to College Board.
It is not my position to make any judgements about fairness. For the UC’s in particular, they have always been more GPA focused vs. test focused and have not participated in the National Merit scholarship program since 2006.
Being a NMSF/NMF is a wonderful achievement but only one achievement that is part of the UC comprehensive review. Nothing in the UC application process is evaluated in a vacuum.
When it comes to selecting schools in which to apply, all applicants need to take into consideration all factors that are considered in the application review. If they feel that the application review criteria will not work in their favor (test blind), then the student can choose to not apply.
NMF/NMSF is achieved through PSAT scores that top out at 1520. And what qualifies as top 1% varies significantly from state to state since they roughly distribute it as 1% per state (speaking of fair, is that?).
As for whether it’s fair to disclose as an award/honor in the applicable section, why on Earth would it not be? If someone won a rare science, sports, music, writing, performance, etc, honor, is that any different? It was earned, just like any of those other accomplishments. (And, yes, like all of those accomplishments, the affluent have some advantages.)
For the past 2 years at my son’s HS, the NM semi/commended were closely evenly split into their admissions at UCLA. They listed it as awards. I don’t get the sense it made any difference. I suspect the ones who got in didn’t list it in the top half of awards/activities and had other things to list before hand.
There were many kids that didn’t have NM awards who were admitted - which often leads to uncomfortable and sometimes unseemly criticisms of the kids who got in.
IMO: even though PIQ are supposed to be in narrative form, as in matter-of-fact answers to a specific question, I still believe it needs to be an interesting narrative that is worth the Readers’ time.
So, if SAT score is a part of a theme, then by all means include it to develop that theme. However, if it IS the theme, then you can just wait to get rejected.
Challenge accepted!
Describe the most significant challenge you have faced and the steps you have taken to overcome this challenge. How has this challenge affected your academic achievement?
As I looked over my UC application - the grades, the rigor, my list of awards and ECs all laid out for both impact and clarity - I felt as if all I could see was a dark hole. Something was clearly missing. I knew I was a competitive applicant for any college in this country, a belief validated by both parents and teachers alike. And yet, despite the long list of accolades carefully laid out in my application, all I could see was the gaping void. I got a 1520 on my SAT, dammit! That is the top 1% - a remarkable and usual achievement setting me apart from the high school rabble. And yet, no matter how hard I tried, I just could not figure out how to get that score in front of my UC reader. I saw my chances of admission to the UC of my choice slipping though my fingers. Until…
I skimmed through the PIQ prompts, which brought to mind all of my unique qualities as an applicant and as a human being. As I reviewed all of the possibilities for things I would want a reader to know about me, a lightbulb went off over my head. Of course! What a fool I’ve been! The solution to my UC admission dilemma is so obvious and yet, despite my 1520 on the SAT, I almost missed it entirely: It’s the PIQs, dummy!
And so, dear UC reader, if you hadn’t noticed it already: I got a 1520 on my SAT. I faced the challenge of the UC application and its lack of SAT scores head on and forged my own path forward by creatively contriving a PIQ response to allow me to show the best of who I am, and what I have the ability to contribute to the University of California community.
I got a 1520 SAT.
(Word count: 311)
Go the award route if applicable. My son listed national hispanic recognition scholar on his UC app. Gave readers two additional data points they wouldn’t have had about him.
Blockquote
And what qualifies as top 1% varies significantly from state to state since they roughly distribute it as 1% per state (speaking of fair, is that?)
When students in white rural states like Montana, Idaho, Iowa, North Dakota and Utah can score a 207 on the PSAT and become National Merit finalists with full- or half-tuition scholarships to prestigious universities while students in California, New Jersey and New York can score 14 points higher on the same test and NOT be named National Merit finalists or score any of those scholarships? When the sole qualification for NM status is your PSAT score? As a former National Merit finalist, I can confidently say no.
My younger son is a junior, he’s class of 2029 
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I think 1520 is not bad, but he’s trying to get in NMF by end of year, out of state schools value it for sure.
Good try! Your essay didn’t imply the SAT score in PIQ smartly, but thanks for the joke, I got it.
This should be pinned as an example of a 90 second essay. I lost interest after reading three lines. I wouldn’t even give this the 2 minutes it may deserve. I went to grab coffee and tried to read it again, but couldn’t.
Bravo.