Warning: Send scores via priority! Regular delivery takes longer than you think!

Applying to College Admission Stories
1

Just a warning to folks so they can learn from the mistakes we keep making in this process: Son applied to some state schools at the very last minute (one of our first mistakes was not doing our numbers and calculating our EFC earlier! There is no way we can finance our child’s dream LAC – even with his excellent merit award.).

My job was to send the test scores to the state schools. I did this online in early January, and somehow interpreted the language to read that the schools would receive the scores in about two weeks – well in time for a couple of Feb. 1 deadlines.

However, the schools are just receiving the scores now (most recently recorded on Feb. 3 and Feb. 4; one is showing it hasn’t received still) – about four weeks after I ordered and paid. I didn’t realize I needed to send priority if the schools didn’t show e-delivery. Now, I’m just crossing my fingers that my stupidity means he hasn’t missed the scholarship deadlines since the scores didn’t arrive until after the Feb. 1 deadline.

Seriously still wishing I could turn back the clock and find this site much earlier. Note to others-- send priority! Your peace of mind will thank you.

Another note: Since son did applications for the private schools first (lots of essays and info to fill out), we didn’t realize that most state apps weren’t as involved and could easily be completed in under a half hour. Another lesson learned. No essays or letters of rec. Little stress. And no reason to delay or to cut it close as close to the deadlines as my son did. Now we know …

2

<ol>
<li>Not all schools accept rushed scores.</li>
<li>They might have arrived at the school well on time. It might have just taken longer for the schools to process them.</li>
</ol>

3

True what nameless said. My schools told me that it may take up to 3 weeks to match up materials the students send with their records. As long as they’re sent by you by the deadline, schools will honor them.

4

You have to remember that schools get a LOT of snail mail letters and it does take time for them to sort through everything. My transcripts were sent mid December and one of my schools had a January 5 deadline. January 6th I received an email saying what I had sent in and what was missing. I was freaking out since the email said I was missing my transcripts, but as I read further on, it mentioned that they may have already received it but the letter may not have bee processed yet.