I’m applying to 11 schools as a humanities/social studies major. In order of decreasing acceptance rate: UVM, Kenyon, Wesleyan, Vassar, Boston College, Amherst, Bowdoin, Cornell, Williams, Dartmouth, Yale.
I was named a National Merit Commended Student, but my SAT scores were abysmal compared to SAT projections based on my PSAT. I only took one SAT and scored a 1450-- 700 English, 750 math. At many of my schools, this is within the middle 50% range, but I don’t know if that necessarily means I should submit. I’ve seen some people say to submit ONLY if you’re above the median, whereas others say submit if you’re above the 25th percentile… I’m so confused.
I’m regretting not retesting, but it is what it is at this point. Because I’m a middle class white male living in MA, there’s nothing on my applications that makes me stand out in the context of my setting. My test scores certainly don’t, so I think I’m going to apply TO. However, I still want to list my commended status as an honor.
Do you think my AOs would look at that with suspicion? Would they assume my SAT scores were bad because I didn’t submit them?
Additionally–would my SAT be looked at in its components? I ask because my English scores are much lower than my math scores, and I don’t want them to consider my English score because my intended major is social studies.
Yes, self-report/submit your scores. They are great, not abysmal. You are within the range. Mention your national merit commendation.
Spend time on two things -
Look back over your essays and consider what may help your case pop out a little when an admissions officer is reading them. Your essays will make a difference at these schools.
Add at least one more safety. UVM is the only school with higher than a 50% acceptance rate. Based on data on some of the threads from EA/ED rounds, do you have one or two more safeties/matches you had considered? Maybe Drexel, UMass (Instate) or UNH?
I always lead with this disclaimer when commenting on the to submit or not to submit discussion: we’re all just guessing on this, and it is highly dependent on the institution.
My short answer is that I’d submit to everything up to BC on your list and not to the others after it. I don’t think a 1450 is in the middle 50 at any of those anymore.
The problem with using the 25th percentile or even the median is that a good number of those “lower” scores are from hooked students, which you seemingly aren’t. 75th percentile is probably more realistic.
The “discrepancy” in your score is probably less of a concern, assuming your transcript and essays are strong.
I strongly agree with the comment above about adding another safety and I’d also suggest switching out a reach or two and adding something that’s more of a match: Richmond, Bates, Colgate, etc.
(ETA: I just realized it is December 30 and this perhaps isn’t useful advice. But the RD acceptance rate at Amherst, Bowdoin, Cornell, etc. is microscopic even for the 1580-submitter types, it’s a lot of longshots)
And in case it isn’t clear: a 1450 is a terrific score, it is insane that we’re even having to have this conversation. You’ll do well in this process. Good luck.
Don’t submit anywhere that 700 is below the 25%ile, yes, AOs look at section scores.
You need at least one affordable safety. UVM is a match not a safety…apps are way up this year and there have been many EA surprises this year. I assume you did not make any EA deadlines?
What is your budget? Are all the schools on your list affordable per their NPCs?
You have nothing to hide. Your test scores may not be hooks in the traditional sense of the word, but in this day and age, a 1450 SAT is not something that is going to sway a selective AO one way or the other. But, if you don’t submit, I definitely would NOT mention the National Merit commendation.
Submit your scores. They are strong and I don’t think they are disqualifying anywhere. If possible though I’d add another safety or 2. It’s a big jump from UVM to Vassar and most of your schools are very tough admits - particularly in RD.
Last year my daughter submitted to Villanova WITHOUT her test scores and received EA admission based on the “holistic” review. She ultimately chose elsewhere, but that was the most competitive school she applied to and did it without the scores. She was admitted everywhere she applied without scores.
I would say to submit up to and including BC and after that go TO. Also you don’t have to claim a major yet so intending to be a social studies major with a 700 in English doesn’t have to be a thing. Just list undecided if you must list something. Also your Essays are a great chance to show off language skills that may not be reflected in the 700 so don’t waste that opportunity.
First, a little perspective: a 1450 is at approximately the 95% percentile. It is NOT an abysmal score. It is a great score. At the same time, it is not going to help you at the more selective scores on your list. People do get into T20 scores with a 1450 (or lower), but they are athletes, URMs, and other hooked kids. So they get in despite their scores, not because of their scores, because they have something else the college is looking for. So don’t submit your SAT at the super selective schools, but as others have suggested, submit at UVM, Kenyon, Wesleyan, Vassar, BC. I think if your score is at least at the median, it is safe to submit it but it won’t necessarily help. If your score is closer to the 75% it could be helpful. This is the rule my son used to apply this year and got into all four of his EA schools with merit scholarships (2 with scores and 2 without), and he is a generic, unhooked white kid too. We’ll see about the other schools in the spring! Although honestly, I don’t think his scores were an important part of his application, even where he submitted them. If you have a strong transcript, with great grades and rigor, the scores won’t matter a lot one way or the other. We stressed so much about test scores, and it was all for naught.