<p>I took an SAT in may but did pretty terrible, so I did some prep and I think I may have raised my score possibly 300-400 points. The scores come on October 28th, and I'm doing early action for Umass, UMich, and Fordham which is Nov 1.</p>
<p>Can I submit my application to reserve a spot, then submit my scores? Supposedly it takes 4 weeks for scores to send. UMass doesn't take rush scores so I really am not sure what to do. </p>
<p>Yes, you can submit your app and have your scores follow. It usually takes two weeks for scores. Rush scores really don’t get there any faster. Regular scores are sent electronically.</p>
<p>The likely reason why UMass doesn’t take rush scores is because they waste the students’ money. It’s a data dump.</p>
<p>For both UMass and Fordham, you should have no problem. Fordham requires supporting materials including test scores by Nov 15 and UMass by Nov 20, i.e., the Nov 1 EA deadline applies to the applicaiton not the supporting materials. As long as you send Oct scores regular delivery right after they are released Oct 28, you will have no issue (with one caveat: see below*). They will most likely be sent in no more than a week and probably less. Both those universities have secure webfiles with the College Board and “sending” scores merely consists of College Board putting the scores into that downloadable file. In that situation ordering scores sent rush delivery may gain one day, if any, in delivery speed at most from regular delivery.</p>
<p>Michigan is a different issue. It actually is one of the small number of colleges that wants scores actually sent no later than Nov 1 and that will not necessarily occur even if you were to do rush delivery – it takes CB more time than usual to “send” scores right after they are release because CB has to process the requests made and it gets ten of thousands of such requests all at the same time right after scores are released. To assure Oct scores arrive in time, one should designate Mich in one’s test applicaiton as a college to automatically receive scores upon release. That method results in the fastest form of delivery and in fact the scores will be placed in Michigan’s downloadable file with CB on or up to two days before the day the scores are released to you on line. Unfortunately, you apparently did not do that. You may be OK sending it immediately upon release but there is no certainty you will be. Also be aware that EA with Mich simply assures you will get a decision by mid-Dec of either admit, deny, or defer for further consideration. Come Dec 1, Mich actually starts rolling admissions, meaning it makes many decisons as applications are received (although it may often sit on a number of them until the end of decision making time). But many who actually apply and get their materials in after Nov 1 but before the third week of Nov may actually receive decisons in the first three weeks of Dec before the early action Dec 24 final release date.</p>
<p>*As noted your scores sent regular delivery should arrive on time for Fordham or UMass. However, you mention that you think your scores may have gone up 300-400 points. The issue with a great increase in scores is that CB may put a hold on sending your scores to any colleges while it investigates to assure there were no improprities in taking the second test and that hold can often last up to four weeks.</p>
<p>First of all, do make use of the free score reports to accelerate the process. Nevertheless, you are basically applying to EA in blind. If you wait for the score before placing order for report, it may be late for most if not all EA schools.
Second, for UMich, you do want to submit your old score report but mark on your CommonApp that you have pending score. This way, they will not put aside your application and delay the reviewing process.</p>
<p>I agree with above that you are at risk for withholding score.</p>