Good ACT and SAT scores, which to send?

Dd took her ACT in Feb 2016 as a 10th grader and scored a 35 composite (Eng 36, Mat 35, Read 33, Sci 36). She just took the SAT in August (needed confirming score for NMSF) and scored a 1570 (EBRW 770, Math 800) as a senior. She has already applied to several schools (most got her ACT score, the others got her SAT), but there are up to 4 more she may apply to. All are smaller Christian LAC’s in the upper Midwest (in case that matters). She’s interested in languages (Spanish especially), mathematics, and/or computer science for potential majors.

I’m not worried about her being accepted, but which score should she use? I’m leaning toward the SAT because it is most recent and demonstrates her ability NOW vs. what she was like as a 10th grader. However, her ACT score is also pretty good and is perhaps the test these schools are more used to seeing. Money is fairly tight so we’re really hoping for some good scholarship money to help pave the way for college (our EFC will be too high for us to actually pay). I’m worried that sending both sets of scores will not be well-received (like she’s bragging or something, which is totally NOT her personality).

She’s homeschooled, so I do believe colleges will put a much greater emphasis on her test scores rather than her GPA. Thanks for any insights. I anticipate I’ll get different opinions, I just want to hear some of them and then make a decision that will hopefully best position my daughter for scholarships. Thank you!

You may send either one as they are comparable. For top schools or schools aimed for merit aid, you may want to send both. Is she going to take subject tests? Many schools may ask for that from homeschooled students. In that case, SAT score will be included anyway.

No one has asked for subject tests yet.

Since your daughter is homeschooled, subject tests can help demonstrate her level of preparation, especially since colleges will not have any basis for comparing her curriculum against those of other students. Even if a college doesn’t require subject tests (and in recent years, many have stopped absolutely requiring them, although they often “recommend” them), it may be prudent for your daughter to take some, and report them if the scores are high. Also, for subject tests, you can generally report any individual test from any test date, and without having to report the SAT score. However, your daughter’s ACT and SAT scores are both very high and they confirm each other. Therefore, I would suggest you send both.

Does she have any dual enrollment grades or AP scores? That could help with validation too.

This is just my (former) homeshcool mom opinion but I do not think there is anything wrong with sending both scores since they are both excellent. I don’t think it would be perceived as bragging at all. It could also demonstrate versatility since some students do better on one test over the other.

I am thinking she will get good results with those scores so long as her transcript is solid.

They are equivalent scores and are exceptional. Send both and congratulations!

Given her interests, if you haven’t done so, take a look at St. Olaf. She would have a decent chance at getting merit aid there.

She did take the CLEP Spanish language exam (77 out of 80 on that) and is considering taking others if it seems it would benefit her in some way. I’ll have her take a look at the subject tests and see what she thinks.

Note that by registering subject test(s), she will get 4 free score reports to schools that include the SAT score. So there is almost no extra cost if she is confident on the subject test(s).