I’m applying RD to Barnard and I’m finding random scores for SAT averages.
I have a 1400 SAT and a 3.99 GPA.
710 W+R and 690 math.
Should I submit my SAT?
Thank you!
I would not submit since the score is below the 25th percentile of those who do. Good luck, Barnard is a reach for everyone!
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I’ve seen different schools of thought on this. Some people say don’t submit anything below 50th percentile. However, in our case, my D24 submitted a score just slightly below the 25th percentile at her first choice ED school and was admitted last week - yay!.
To clarify, this was not for Barnard, but another highly selective school. Our college counselor at school actually asked the AO whether my D should submit a score one point below or not, and the AO said it would neither hurt her nor help her. We submitted anyway because it was very close to the 25th percentile, and that was with only about a third of admitted students submitting scores. We felt like it was a good score and that it represented her well. She got in! But my real advice would be to ask your counselor to ask the AO what they they advise. After all, they are the ones who will be reading your application! Good luck!
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Of those who submitted scores, 25% were admitted even with a 1,430 or less. One guess is, that the 2/3rds of admitted students who didn’t submit scores, probably did so because they were at or below 1430 - just like you. So while <=1430 represents the 25th percentile of reported scores, it could actually represent the (unreported) score of a significantly larger percentage of students admitted - and admission officers realize that.
So while 1400 is not a disqualifying factor, the question is whether it’s better to cut your (score-specific) odds to 25% - or apply Test Optional, and let other factors of the application to the heavy lifting.
How about AP scores - do you have 4s and 5s in the core subjects that you report optionally to reaffirm the quality of your high grades?
Assuming the 3.99 GPA is unweighted (?), does this put you in the top 10% of your class?
Personally, the more the rest of your application is tops, the less I would feel inclined to use the 1,400. If your application doesn’t have that many other clues to show off your academic prowess, then I would use a score near where many of students were admitted (1431 - 1490 covered 50% of those admitted).
First, please take any comments that I make with a grain of salt. My thoughts reflect my own testing prejudices and thoughts on this subject. There are certainly sound rationales for going test optional with a score in your range, but I would lean towards submitting your score. Regardless of your decision, you have fine score that you should be proud of.
Taking Digital Dad’s point a bit further, the CDS posted above is new and only a small percentage of applicants submitted a test score. Those that did submit, typically only did so if they had a very strong score, hence the 1430 / 1530 range reported. These reported scores have risen demonstrably since Covid. See the CDS from the last pre-Covid year.
Here in the 2019 - 2020 CDS, 63% (sorry, that number is just above the area from which I took a screenshot) of the admitted students submitted an SAT score (along with 48% that submitted an ACT score). Back then, the 25th / 75th percentile ranges were 1360 and 1500. Thus, just a few years ago your scores would have been well within the lower 25% band.
Do you really think that scores increased that dramatically in the past 4 years? Or, is something else going on. As discussed above, I think that the AOs realize that the reported SAT scores are inflated.
If your scores were well below the pre-Covid 25th percentile, I might suggest going TO, but I would find it shocking that an AO would look at your score negatively.
That said, I don’t think the score will be what gets you into Barnard, but I honestly don’t think it will be what keeps you out if you happen to be denied.
Good luck.
Yes my 3.99 is unweighted. Also, my school doesn’t do rankings. I’ve done 9 APS (5 this year). and have 4’s and 5’s on my past APS.
So with your U/W 3.99, supported by your 4’s and 5’s on your APs, I think you could afford to go Test Optional.
I think @MidwestPack said it well:
I don’t think you need to be paranoid about making a bad decision either way - whether TO or submitting it.
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