<p>Since Penn does not partake in score choice, I'm wondering if (and perhaps how much) my lower test scores will hurt me. </p>
<p>See what happened was...</p>
<p>1st ACT (31 C/9 essay): aced reading and english
2nd ACT (30 C/12 essay): aced math but fell on others (did not prepare at all for this).
3rd ACT (33 C/12 essay): finally put it all together (all best sub scores were on this test). </p>
<p>I'm hoping they can see that it just took me a little time to get everything on one test. However, I've heard it looks bad to test more than 2 times...so will taking it 3 hurt me, especially since I went down on the second test? Not to mention, 30-31 are pretty mediocre scores for an unhooked Penn applicant.</p>
<p>Also I got a 2120 on the SAT, which since it is lower than my 33 ACT, I'd rather not send it. But am I obligated to send it even if I'm sending all ACT scores? Not sure to what extent this lack of score choice goes. Will the 2120 hurt me (if I am forced to send it) too or will they just use the 33 since it is highest?</p>
<p>When they say you must send all scores, you must send all scores (including the SAT one) and be ethical about it. However, it shouldn’t hurt you that much so don’t worry. Having decent SAT/ACT/GPA scores only gets you through the door, your ECs/recs/essays get you a seat at the table.</p>
<p>If you are sending the ACT as your test score, then I believe that you don’t need to submit the SAT score, but the best thing would be to call UPenn to ask this, or it might be mentioned on their website. Now if you were submitting SAT subject test scores, then you may also have to submit the SAT score- once again, I urge you to call or check with the school. My son applied to UPenn and only submitted his ACT scores and not the one SAT score. And as they didn’t require his subject test score, he never bothered to send the SAT score.</p>
<p>Having talked to quite a few other people both during and after the admissions process, I can say with some confidence that Penn is being honest when they say that they place primary significance on your highest scores. For the most part, the admissions officers look for reasons to admit you rather than nitpick your application to find things to fault you on. The only situation in which Penn’s lack of score choice might hurt you is if you’ve taken either the SAT or ACT more than three times. You haven’t done this, so you’re pretty safe.</p>
<p>Even if they glance at your lower scores, it is clear that you are smart and have done well. Don’t worry, focus on your essays which matter most.</p>