<p>Ok, so I took the sat in January but I did not do that well. I was going to take them in June but things got really crazy and I do not feel like I am prepared enough to take them in just 3 weeks. </p>
<p>Can I take them in Oct(8th?) and send in my new score after I already sent in my application? I am going to apply early decision to UPenn</p>
<p>The deadline for ED applications is NOV. 1 and my score would be sent in during the very last few days of OCT. Will they have a bad impression of my if I send in my score that late?</p>
<p>Also, I might take the ACT in Sept, if that helps...?</p>
<p>“Early Decision candidates should take SAT or ACT exams either during the junior year or in the summer before the senior year, but no later than November 2010. Early Decision candidates who opt for November examinations must rush their test scores to us.” - So yes, your fine.</p>
<p>While you will be fine as far as time for the school to get your score if you take SAT in October, you won’t know your score until almost the day before you have to submit your application (actually make sure you will even know it before Nov. 1). If you do not get a high enough score to put you in the range for Penn, then you might be wasting your time, or ED school choice on a school you don’t have a very good chance of getting in to. </p>
<p>If you really do want to go to Penn, and don’t get good enough scores in October, you will have another chance to try again for a higher score and apply RD. But of course, there is the gamble of RD being harder to get that acceptance. You would be in a better position to make your decision if you took the SAT earlier and had your score in time to make a good decision.</p>
<p>Thank you, yes I made sure I would know my scores before the deadline. I will find out my score in the last week of November, about 3 or 4 days before the ED deadline.</p>
<p>If you take the October SAT, just make sure you use the free score report that comes with the test to send your score.
Even though you won’t know your score, I would still apply ED to Penn if it’s your top choice. They do not honor score choice which means you have to send all of your scores no matter when you apply. If admissions wants to see more information/scores in your application, you would be deferred if they think that you have any chance of getting in RD given higher test scores/other factors. Your application would then be completely reevaluated in the regular pool.
One last thing, I know people talk a ton about test scores in college admissions but honestly I really believe that one you have around a 700 on each part of the SAT that other things are more important. For example, I know one person who got in with a 30 on the ACT and at least two or three people who got rejected with 34s and 35s. The SAT does not give a complete picture when it comes down to 4 or 5 questions (which can be the difference between a 730 and 800), recommendations and essays are much better in that range.</p>