We have interviewed at a few schools that say they super score the ACT. This sounds wonderful but I wonder how true it really is. Will they really view a super scored 34 the same way they view the same score in one sitting? Is this as true for merit awards as it is for admissions? I certainly hope so!
If they say they will do that then they will. They have no reason to lie about it. It’s probably done automatically via their software which imports the info from ACT.
The real question is how much impact does it have. Most kids who get a superscore Act of 34 had a couple settings of 32 and 33. It would be pretty rare for say a 29 and a 32 superscore to a 34.
From what I have seen, (anecdotal evidence only), there is a real difference between 33 and 34+ for scholarships.
They can’t unsee the other subscores I assume correct? My S19 did get a 34C on his first sitting but received a 32 in Math. We (meaning me!) may consider a June sitting to see if he can get a better math score having completed trig. Before determining if its worth it, make certain you confirm with each school if they in fact super score it. Seems like there is a shift and most do – but not all.
Here’s Villanova:
Candidates are asked to submit their scores from each sitting of the SAT and/or the ACT understanding that the Admission Committee will superscore the highest Evidence-based Reading and Writing scores and Math scores from the SAT and the highest ACT composite from the subscores from multiple administrations.
This.
You teach the system to just load the highest score from each section. We’ve been doing it this way since 2008. So much better than in the paper days, when we’d circle or highlight the highest of each section on a score report that had every administration on it. 
Superscoring is in a college’s best interest.
It results in their being able to report higher scores of accepted and attending students, which helps with their rankings in places like U.S. News and with their marketing to attract top candidates.
In this instance, the practice helps both colleges and students!
I wouldn’t assume that. The file admissions reps see may just have the highest scores.
Depends on the school.
At a non-holistic school that superscores (like the CSUs in California), a 34 on one try versus a superscored 34 on multiple tries will not be viewed any differently by the computer plugging it into the admission formula. But at a school using holistic review, it is possible that a reader may think more highly of a 34 on one try compared to a superscored 34 on multiple tries.
“In this instance, the practice helps both colleges and students!”
Schools certainly do it. But very doubtful that it actually “helps” your student. Since the school super-scores your application (higher score for me!!) but also super-scores every other competing application as well (higher score for everyone else!!).
Main advantage is for the school, since it allows the reporting of higher scores for its enrolled class.
Super scoring gives yet another advantage to those who can afford multiple attempts at a Standardized test, compared to those who struggle to pay for one sitting, or those in public schools where the high school pays the exam fee for all applicants.
But practically, that does not mean that much when you’re talking about the difference between a 33 and a 34, as it is very very rare for economically disadvantaged students to score that high.
As I recall, a few of the Ivies say they superscore, but they do request scores from all sittings. This is their way to discourage students from making their primary EC test taking.
Students are generally reminded to only take SAT or ACT a maximum of 3 times because it looks as if they are chasing a score.
Unless the school is one of the very few which requires all scores to be sent, the school never knows how many times you tried/chased.
They only see the scores that get sent and which comprise the score or the super score.