Harvard ain't accepting mah SAT score. :(

Colleges and Universities A-Z Harvard University
1

<p>Hi guys! I just found out yesterday via calling admissions that Harvard does not accept SAT scores greater than 3 years old. Unfortunately my only score is from 2009 and I'm doing early action. The guy said I could take the November SAT and put down Harvard as a recipient, but I wouldn't be able to see the score I'm sending and there's not much time to test prep.</p>

<p>I'm not sure if this rule is set in stone and I'll be calling again to clarify, so I was wondering if y'all had any ideas for ways to supplement an old but strong SAT score. I was thinking of suggesting PSAT scores (having the school report them, or national merit semifinalist status) but that's the only thing I could come up with. Thanks! <3</p>

2

<p>That would make it a middle school score. Why would they accept it?</p>

3

<p>I’m not sure what you’re implying. Because it shows I can do math, critical reading, and writing at a level acceptable to an admissions committee?</p>

4

<p>Middle school scores are usually cancelled automatically by SAT.</p>

5

<p>I asked them not to cancel it so it’s still there - I can send score reports to colleges and everything.</p>

6

<p>I suspect many colleges have a similar rule. I remember a parent complaining a couple of years ago that a SAT II score from 8th grade was not accepted and so the whole application had to wait because the kid had to take the test again.</p>

7

<p>Oh okay I see. I guess it makes sense that they want a more recent score to see that you didn’t lose focus in high school - but I was thinking if that’s the case there could be some other way to supplement an old score, like with PSATs. A date cutoff also wasn’t mentioned on their website, and I kind of thought they could be more lenient with people who simply weren’t aware of it?</p>

8

<p>The only substitute for SAT is ACT with writing. PSAT does not have writing.</p>

9

<p>I guess you mean PSAT doesn’t have an essay which would make it unacceptable as a substitute. Alright, seeing as I didn’t take the ACT, I better start studying. Thanks for your help but if anyone else has ideas that’d be great too.</p>

10

<p>How did you find out they don’t accept? I read the requirements and don’t see anything on Harvard page.</p>

11

<p>I called the admissions office. Me neither, I almost submitted with just that score.</p>