ACT (single sitting)
33 composite
35 math
35 science
32 reading
29 English
SAT (superscore)
1410 composite
710 reading
700 math
She was planning to submit only her ACT scores. However, while playing around on College Vine, we noticed the algorithm sometimes showed her SAT scores as giving her a slightly better chance of admission to some schools. This seemed to happen because her 29 English ACT score fell below the average for a few schools, whereas her 710 Reading SAT does not for most of the schools on her list.
In a case such as this, would it make sense to submit both scores to colleges where her overall composite score is at or above the middle 50% for both tests? How do colleges look at test scores? I assume they would never mix and match between two different tests (e.g., ACT math, SAT reading).
And before anyone recommends she re-take the ACT to improve that English score, I have already tried and received a pretty clear no from my D. She took the SAT three times before taking the ACT as a school-day state required exam. She is not interested in more prep and testing ā and is willing to let the chips fall where they may, I guess. That being said, if it makes sense to send both scores, she would certainly be willing to do so.
I think the 33, with BOTH a 35 in math and a 35 in science is going to work just fine for BSN programs! Itās not like a 29 is ābadā (maybe by CC standards -but not by any OTHER standards!)
Based on the fact that you are primarily looking at direct entry BSN -I know that many of those programs are pretty holistic - and a 33 certainly checks the ātest scoresā requirements.
There is no downside to submitting both, as most schools allow self-reporting of scores during the application process. There would be an extra cost to submit both sets of scores to schools that require official scores during the application process.
Would you only submit both if both composite scores are over the 50th percentile? For example, UMich (one of Dās reaches) has published ACT 33 and SAT 1460 as the 50th percentile. In that case, should she only submit the ACT??
I can make the case either way for Michigan, has she asked her HS counselor their opinion? I would lean towards letting your D make the decision that she is most comfortable with.
Generally, I believe many admissions officers will take the highest test score and move on. Meaning I donāt think many would say āoh, the ACT is in range, but not the SAT, so letās not admitā (if she sent both.)
Also, I would not use collegevine for admission probability or school categorization. I would rely on the HS counselor for that as well.
Thanks. Unfortunately her school counselor will not be much help. They are all super nice, but carry a caseload of about 500 kids. (We are at a very large urban public.) I will let D decide, as you suggestedā¦. But figured I would mine the collective experience here first!
We have a similar situation with our high school - basically one college counselor for 1500 kids. They are overwhelmed. The advisors are more helpful but their caseload is still really high.
Question for the group - is this something you could ask the AO? Or is that a absolutely NO kind of question?
Absolutely ok to ask oneās AO for direction on submitting test scores or not. Some will be very clear and direct with guidance and some wonāt.
Also make sure your student is paying attention during live and/or virtual admissions presentationsā¦some schools give clear guidance in those. And if they donāt, that can be a good venue to ask too.
Mom to recent Boston College class of ā30 ED admit. Hereās my experience, FWIW. 2 kids from my kidās school applied to BC early decision. Similar GPAs (3.9x) and the other student was apparently a legacy. My kidās SAT score of 1400 (720 eng/680 math) was not what my kid wanted and not quite at the mean for admitted students but was respectable (I thought, anyway) and there wasnāt time to test again. The other studentās SAT score was higher than my kidās, but still not at the mean for the accepted student profile.
Admissions counselor at our school advised BOTH kids not to submit SAT scores on the basis they were not on par with the accepted student mean. This seemed risky to me: might it not look like we were trying to hide something? Did some googling and saw a post related to comparing your kidās SAT score not to the schoolās ADMITTED student profile but to the profile of the kids who chose to attend. The attending kidsā scores are lower for all but the most selective universities. This makes sense: kids with 1500+ and an otherwise strong application may apply to a strong but not Uber-elite institution, but many of them will choose to attend elsewhere. My kidās score, while not at the accepted student mean, was on par with the mean for students who chose to attend BC. I pulled an executive and STRONGLY RECOMMENDED my kid submit (this could have gone way wrong from here, I am awareā¦), and thatās what we did. The other student, I am told, did not submit their scores.
Long story short, my kid got in and the other student was deferred. I have no idea whether it was related to sending the scores, but I do believe it at least didnāt hurt.
Thank you for this. D submitted just the 33 to BC ā but since itās RD, itās not too late for her to add the 1410. Can I ask where u found the stats for enrolling students?
I would say to not report the SAT of 1410. That wonāt help her as the 1410 corresponds to a 31 ACT. Note also the CDS above is for Class of 2028, CDS class of 2029 isnāt yet availableā¦I was also surprised at how many Class of 2028 students submitted scores.
Thanks for the advice. D ended up submitting both scores to only a few schools (Iowa, Pitt, Tennessee, Marquette), where the 1410 was well above the 50th percentile. The closest was Pitt at 1360. I think they all probably dropped it and used the ACT anyway.
Dās profile is a little wonky because her only B grades are in math and science, but her ACT math and science scores are the highest (35 for each). On the other hand, her English ACT score was only a 29, but she has had all A grades in English/Social Sciences and got a 5 on her AP Lang test. And her SAT scores are pretty even. Who knows! At this point, apps are all in, and we are done worrying about itā¦
My son was accepted ED1 with a 1520 SAT (higher on superscore) and about a 3.6 GPA, all in honors and AP courses. He also took several AP exams and scored 5s across the board.
Based on what Iāve seen, it may be a reach for your daughter given the information you shared. The 2-3 students I know applying RD this year all have stronger test scores and very competitive overall profiles (strong extra-curriculars, expressed interest, well written essays,ā¦ in one case legacy status).
Many of these applicants went ED1 to highly selective top-20 schools, and when that didnāt work out, they added BC to their RD lists along with schools like Tufts, Colgate, Hamilton,ā¦
But that does not mean your DD should not apply. Itās all about putting together a list that she feels offers her the risk that she is comfortable taking. Even if BC is a āreachā for her, it may still make sense to apply as long as all the other schools on her list are not also unlikely accepts.