DD sent in her applications last week and was so happy to have them done. What has become her first choice was added to her list late, and when she asked if the writing portion of the ACT was needed, she was told no. Now that they have been sent in, and because she took the test in December before this school was even on her radar, she didn’t think a thing about it and just added this school to the application. Now she finds on the website that the writing portion isn’t required for admission but is required for placement. Is this an instant rejection sending in her application like this? I have e-mailed admissions but I doubt there is anything we can do. I feel so bad because she took the SAT and hated her score, she was so busy but finally got a chance to take the ACT and after seeing her score added this school. I feel so bad for her, and I was there when she called and I heard them say “writing wasn’t needed for admission”. But there’s no point in arguing with the school. I am just throwing it out there is there anything she can do? I am pretty sure it’s to late to retest.
So the problem is in the best case, she will be admitted but not placed into higher courses? Or she won’t be placed into the program she wants?
Admissions and placement are usually separate, so it shouldn’t affect her admissions. Without knowing the school it’s hard to say more. Start by reading the fine print about placement on the website- it should be there. If it really isn’t, and her GC can’t help and she doesn’t know who the regional rep is, have HER - NOT YOU- write admissions asking if she can/should take it in Jan/Feb for placement purposes.
I only wrote the e-mails because she was at school and I wanted to ask ASAP. I spoke with her when she was in study hall and she agreed to have me send out what I had written. She had about two seconds on the phone with me so she couldn’t really send out any e-mails herself. The GC is out until Monday. DD does usually make all contact with her college choices herself, I just wanted to get this out there. The website says “SAT and ACT Writing Scores Required but not for admission”. I don’t know how she missed that, she must have looked at the website a million times. But she was told they were not needed over the phone.
She could always send the SAT. It already has a writing score?
If it’s not required for admissions, she’s probably okay. For placement, an SAT Subject test or AP Lang or AP Lit course might suffice. Worst case scenario, she can take either the SAT or the ACT with writing for placement purposes.
When is the next time the ACT is offered? Take it then.
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I have e-mailed admissions…
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I have rarely seen admissions offices return email during the heat of battle (now!).
Call.
Ask your question.
Ask if she can resend her ACT for placement later.
If it isn’t required for admission, how can not having it be an instant rejection?
If it isn’t required for admission, she should be fine. But if she is nervous about it a call or email to admissions is in order.
Good news! The school e-mailed us back already today and said she would be fine with what she has. She is taking two college English courses this year (one will be done in a couple of weeks) and they said not to worry about the writing portion. DD was impressed that they got back to her so quickly-- it is a very large state university. I’ll share which one if you pm me, you were all very helpful and I don’t mind sharing but she didn’t want me to post it “for the whole world to see”.