Considering they are test optional, should I submit a 1460? Or would it look too low in comparison to all the 1500+ scores?
1460 is right at the cusp. The middle 50 for UChicago is 1460-1550. Accepted students on the lower end of the standardized test score range often have some special hook. So if you have a compelling application, then go ahead and submit the 1460. Otherwise you might want to consider omitting. This is the first year that UC admissions is test optional, so it will be difficult to say.
If your app is exceptional without the test score I think you could go test optional. But, if it is just very good (average of what was accepted last year) you might submit it. My opinion only. I don’t think that “test optional” was invented for scores that are in line with the rest of the application. It was invented for those applications that are really exceptional and the test score wasn’t.
^ uh, what?
i’m not an admissions officer so take my opinion with a large grain of salt, but i think going test optional when you have a score on the cusp of the middle 50% is just silly.
What are the subscores?
@HydeSnark What I meant was if your GPA is UW 4.0 on the toughest schedule your school offers, you have exceptional EC’s, then the test optional route might be a thing to consder, but if the rest of the application is just very good I’d submit the score.
A 1460 concords to a 33 ACT. Do you really think a 33 ACT implies Test Optional?
I saw that 33 concords to 1490-1510 on one site. Others I’ve seen are 1450-1480. Anyone want to chime in?
The latest set of concordance tables released June 2018 is where to look. I’d link but I’m not able to right now. Let google be your friend and search for ACT / SAT concordance.
Addendum: worth noting that this is the first set of concordance tables that ACT and college board devised together. Very different from the college board generated concordance tables of 2016.
I think test optional needs to be looked at differently. I look at it as a mulligan and it should only be used for those people who are truly exceptional in every way on their application except they have a block for standardized tests and don’t do well on them. So if this person, is just awesome, name on patents, National Merit Scholar, won a couple other national awards, got a 4.0 UW GPA in a school that is known to be damn hard. Is pretty confident that their essays are in the top 5% of those written as are his/her letters of recommendation, but a 1460 really doesn’t say that, then I’d suggest test optional. However, if they just are very good at everything and a 1460 is also considered in the very good range, then I’d submit it. If they are just very good, and don’t submit they might be signalling that their test score is much lower then a 1460. I hope that makes sense. I’m really surprised by the number of “chance me threads” that have 3.4 UW GPA, and a 1370 SAT who are going test optional. That in my mind isn’t who this path was designed for.
A 1460 SAT does not imply you have a block for standardized tests and don’t do well on them. Under any circumstances. Good GPA or no.
I guess the way I’d look at it. Does the score elevate my application? (I suspect if a 1460 elevates it then you probably aren’t going to get accepted) If not, does it Validate it? If it does, then submit. If it doesn’t, or in other words drags it down, then go test optional.
BB, a 1460 is fine for someone’s application to UChicago, unless subscores are disparate. It would confirm an already stellar application and it would enhance one where the grade point average might be a tad low.
Test optional is not intended for students who score near the top 1% in terms of their standardized testing. What you are referring to applies to subject tests. The vast majority of students will be expected to submit standardized tests and I would argue that they are likely to be needed if you’re doing anything remotely related to stem. Your highly-accomplished straw student probably wouldn’t even need a 1600 to enhance his/her application.
If your sub scores are 730/730, that’s a quality score which UChicago is more than likely want to see and use. If your score was 660/800, that MIGHT be different, but probably not. Solid grades, tough/rigorous course, great essay, plenty of leadership, good ECs, good LORs and a 1460, you’ve got probably a better shot than someone not reporting their SATs. UC expect non-reporting from those individuals under their 25% band (1450).
Another thing to consider is that the “min” 1460 that UChicago lists for the Class of 2021 (likely to increase a tad once they post the profile for the Class of '22 in Dec.) is likely to be superscored (since they are reporting what scores determined the admitted class). A superscored 1460 is NOT a one-and-done 1460, particularly if, as @2019RuralMe is pointing out, your subscores are consistent.
Chicago is showing that, for the actual class of 2021, the middle 50% is 1460-1550. If that were for admits, OP wouldn’t be on the (admit possibilities) cusp. He’d be down near the 25th percentile.
But for admits, they show the range as 1020-1600. So he’s a wee bit higher than midpoint. Good enough? Well, in general, yes, if it’s 730/730. Granted, the lower end of admits may be all sorts of wild cards. But 730 is good.
Also realize that, owing to some quirky questions they ask, a great app to Chicago is different than many other top colleges.
Test optional isn’t just about extraordinary. It’s for kids with a host of reasons their scores don’t represent them properly. But when we’re talking most-competitive or highly-competitive colleges, I agree there’s a very high bar for all the rest of the app/supp.
Honestly, I don’t think OP’s big issue is scores. I think it’s whether or not he understands just what Chicago wants to find in candidates. It’s more than a usual hook or some hs excellence.
Also, don’t know the major, but there’s a 2 on one AP test (3 AP classes, 1 self study ) and taking 6 this year. We have no idea of those grades. That will matter. The subject scores are 680/670.
@lookingforward like this analysis.
In my school’s AC office, a 1460 is around a 30-32 which I would say is below average of UChicago. That said, there are plenty of people who do get accepted with those scores; but those people have outstanding (not your typical local volunteering and working) I mean something BIG! Like the Next Big Thing kind of Big EC.
Statistically a 1460 and your “desired” 1500” is the same.
To an admissions counselor your score may actually be higher depending on the test date and your regional curve.
Submit with confidence. 
According to both College Board and ACT, a 1460 is a 33. Fair and square.
However, section scores are key as well for these highly selective schools. Composite score doesn’t really provide enough information to determine whether “it’s enough” (unless it’s a high 1500’s of course).
College Board and ACT have provided official section concordances as well as the composite. Best to look at everything - the admissions offices certainly will be doing the same.