Hi there. I took the SAT and got a 1440. However, I also took the ACT but during the period of an awful headache. I ended up with a bad 28 composite. As I accidentally (I did Free Score Send like a dumb dumb) sent my horrible ACT score to my top choices for university, I can’t stop hating myself. I have two-ish questions.
If I submit my SAT score as well, will they consider the SAT instead of the ACT or take both into consideration (leading to my eventual downfall)? (Really competitive universities)
If I don't put the ACT score in the application itself but already sent the score to the university, will I be penalized? Do I have the freedom of putting it onto the application if I already have the required SAT testing (despite having submitted my ACT score)?
I wonder if I could clear things up with the universities by sending them emails, but I’d like to hear from here first. Thank you so so much for your time!
Are you saying you put your SAT score on the common app but not the ACT score? If so, that might be confusing to schools.
Definitely send the SAT score. Colleges will likely consider your higher score. I don’t think it’s necessary to email schools, but if you do just simply say your SAT score send is on the way which represents what was input on the Common app. Do not attempt to explain that your ACT was the result of a headache. And while a 28 may not be competitive for highly ranked schools, it’s certainly not a horrible score.
If a college receives both an ACT and an SAT score, it will use to determine admission that test with the higher score. Unless the college actually requires you to list all scores in the application, you can list just the SAT. Regardless, If the college is one that requires official scores from the testing agency, it will use the official score sent and what you put in the application makes no difference.
If the college is one that allows you to just self-report scores in the application and not send an official score, then in your situation, you should likely also send the official SAT score, if that is what you list in the application, to assure the college does not think some error has been made by your providing the SAT in the application but sending an official ACT score.
As to timing of sending the official SAT score, it will depend on college, but for some you probably want to send it now or no later than when you apply because the college may start making decisions right after having both the application and a test score, and if the SAT score is not there at that time, it may not be considered at all. In fact, sending the official SAT score to all your colleges now, even if you have not completed the applications yet, is probably the safest course (the scores will be matched with your application when it arrives).
Hi! thanks so much for replying. I have sent the SAT score long ago. However, my main problem is that of having also sent the ACT score. If I do not explain to them, don’t you think they will get the wrong impression? Won’t they look at my ACT and consider me less than if I simply submitted my SAT alone?