<p>Difficult ACT/ SAT/ SAT Subject Test Admission Question! </p>
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<p>I've been wondering the following series of questions for a long time.
First, a brief background so you understand my situation:
This is my situation- I'm a rising senior who, like many of us here, is looking at highly selective universities, such as the Ivies and Stanford. I have a 4.0, play varsity baseball, do extracirricular activities, etc. Focusing on test scores, here is a quick breakdown:
ACT (taken once) Composite Score = 36
Math = 36
Writing = 35
Science = 36
Reading = 35
Combined Writing/ Essay = 31 (received an 8 on the essay, it sucks, I know...)</p>
<p>SAT (taken once, likely again in the fall) = 2140
Math = 720 (Messed up some easy questions...)
Writing = 760 (Once again, an 8 on the essay, only one missed multiple choice)
Reading = 660 </p>
<p>SAT Subject Tests
Chemistry = 800
Math Lvl. 2 = 800
Spanish = 580 (What was I thinking taking that!?)</p>
<p>As you can see, these are some interestingly skewed test scores, and I don't think I've ever seen someone with as large of an ACT and SAT disparity as mine. My ideal colleges would allow me to submit only the ACT and the Math and Chemistry Subject Tests, because those are all perfect scores. However, I understand some top universities do not allow score choice, but I am confused if that applies to the SAT Subject Tests. If there is no score choice, does that mean that I have to give all SAT Subject Tests and the SAT I (which would clearly look like crap because of the 580 and 2140). </p>
<p>Finally, here are my questions:
1. Who knows what the real deal is behind score choice?
2. Should I retake my SAT I in the fall?
3. Does the 8 essay score on my ACT look horrible?
4. For colleges who require ALL scores to be submitted from either the college board or ACT, should I only submit the ACT or submit both the ACT and all SAT components and hope that the two subject scores "cover up" the 580 Spanish and 2140 SAT I (unless I retake it)?</p>
<p>If you absolutely must send your SAT scores, then I’d suggest that you retake it. The total score is fine (I think?), it’s just your reading score that needs a slight boost. Just stay within the same range for the other two subjects and you should be fine.</p>
<p>I believe you are NEVER required to send both the SAT AND the ACT, and you are allowed to send the SAT Subject Tests with the ACT if you want in all situations. However, some schools will require you to send all Subject Tests, but (I think), no school will have to see the SAT I if you don’t want them to.</p>
<p>@mrlaurenceguyen: I have, but I was still bemused. I was asking on CC to see if someone else who has been in the same situation may know.</p>
<p>@Axel3419: Thank you. I wonder how I can check your beliefs to make sure that is the case, which would be ideal. I haven’t heard about sending all subject tests though…</p>
<p>Your best option is to send the ACT and your two SAT Subject test scores (if you want).</p>
<p>You can use “score choice” to select which Subject tests you would like to send. Even if a college states “If you submit the SAT, you must submit all scores,” this does NOT apply to subject tests. You can send whatever subject tests you’d like.</p>
<p>^^ Not necessarily. Schools like Yale require all SAT I and SAT II scores to be sent.</p>
<p>OP, for questions like these regarding score reporting policies, just check each schools website to be sure. It’s not worth risking it by just going with what people here say.</p>
<p>Which is why I advised checking each school individually. I’m not saying you’re wrong, because in general I believe that’s the case. I’m just emphasizing that it’s safer to check yourself.</p>
<p>Keep in mind though, no matter what you report ‘officially’ to your colleges, your high school transcripts may include ALL your test scores which were reported to them. You might have to request that your hs remove any scores you aren’t reporting from your transcript. I’m not sure they can/will but you could ask anyway.</p>
<p>Even if a school doesn’t want you to do something regarding scores doesn’t mean you can’t. i.e, collegeboard will LET you use score choice sending scores to Yale, even though they’d prefer you didn’t. Yale also doesn’t require SAT subject tests if you take the ACT.</p>
<p>So some follow-up questions: Should I send my scores now to prospective schools? Or should I wait for my next SAT score in the fall? Would it be best to send the ACT only to all schools I’m applying to now and hold off on all SAT related tests?</p>