<p>I'm from Massachusetts and everyone here sends in their SATs and not their ACTs. I'venever been able to figure it out. What is the major difference between the two? It seems like the ACT is better for a well-rounded student, is that true? Will colleges in the north be suprised to just see the ACTS and not SATs?</p>
<p>colleges dont care which one you send</p>
<p>The first reply is correct. Colleges don't care. </p>
<p>All</a> four-year U.S. colleges now accept ACT test - USATODAY.com</p>
<p>I'm sure they care, but they will never tell you :P</p>
<p>If I were a college admission officer, I'd prefer the SAT's since it touches on fundamental subjects which all students have been exposed to, and it gives a better reflection of how careless a student is, lol.</p>
<p>The SAT has had a long tradition in the college admission's process while the ACT is relatively new to most people. It might give the wrong message to some counselors if you didn't give an SAT score vs. not turning in an ACT score.</p>
<p>My son only sent in the ACT to the two schools he was accepted to so far. They don't seem to care, and one of them is a top 25 LAC, called "Most Selective" by US News. And I don't understand the reply that the SAT tests more subjects, since the ACT is the one with Math, Science, Reading, Writing and English.</p>
<p>Ya, that seems to be the general consensus, especially up here in New England where few of us take ACTs at all. I think that I'll probably take both and hope for the best with some major prep. work. ACT also has a science part, right? Is that considered by most colleges as well? Well anyway, thanks a lot, everything appreciated.</p>
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I'm sure they care, but they will never tell you
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<p>I'm sure that is not so. The college admission officers have told me. They are asked about that whenever they visit this part of the country.</p>
<p>The ACT may not be the test of choice ("popular") in the Northeast yet, but it is gaining acceptance. I was in my school's guidance office today when one of the counselors was commenting how almost 1/2 of our graduating class opted to take both tests this year. Apparently a big increase for our school.</p>
<p>As for schools favoring one test over the other, I think those days are gone.</p>
<p>I'm from MA too and it's true that the ACTs are not well publicized here. The BIG advantage of the ACT is that lots of schools take it in place of SAT subject tests. So you take the ACT and you don't have to take subject tests. This is a HUGE bargain, because the subject tests are much harder than the ACT, imo. </p>
<p>You don't hear people talk about this too much and I have no idea why. It is a big big difference between the two tests. I'm kicking myself for not taking the ACT because it's like 1 test instead of 3 (SAT plus 2 subject tests). Yeah I would have taken the SAT also, but if I'd taken the ACT and done well, I wouldn't have taken the subject tests.</p>
<p>I didn't take it because I didn't know about it in time. So spreading the word here.</p>
<p>We're from MA and virtually all of my d's friends and most of the other top students at her HS took both SAT and ACT. Pretty popular around here!</p>
<p>Colleges accept either. A few (no high ranks) still state a high preference for one or the other but rest have stated official policy that they will accept either and submitting one rather than the other makes no difference.</p>
<p>Then there are those who speculate that really the colleges do care and will treat you differently if you submit one they don't like.</p>
<p>In other words, you need to ask yourself what will you believe: (a) the stated policy that the tests are considered equal; or (b) that colleges and admissions personnel are all bold face liars who ignore their own official policies. And if you choose to believe the latter then also ask why would you want to go that college if that is the way they are.</p>
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<p>That's a very good question.</p>
<p>The schools set their own rules. If they really preferred one test over the other, they could easily just say so. Why wouldn't they? What's the downside to saying, "We prefer the SATs" or "We prefer the ACTs"? If there's no harm in saying so, and they say they don't care, you might as well believe them.</p>
<p>Chedva, there is a problem. When the University of California system told students that they shouldn't take the SAT because of some problems, the College Board responded with the essay and writing section.</p>
<p>But that's exactly my point, Liist. The UCs specifically stated their preference. College Board responded, but the UCs made no secret and told the students exactly what to do. If a school really didn't want to accept the ACT, all it has to do is say so (as Harvey Mudd did until this past year).</p>
<p>Since they now all claim to have no preference, I'd believe them.</p>