<p>My DS is an Ivy hopeful. He got a 2250 on his first SAT in March, and was planning to retake in June, hoping for 2300+. He took the April ACT to see how that test felt, and got a 36, with 36 subscores in every section. His writing was a 10, giving him a 34 on the English/Writing score. Obviously, he's thrilled with the ACT score, but we keep wondering if the Ivies won't prefer to see high SAT scores over ACT. Does anyone really know? We are in Colorado, where taking the ACT is more the norm.</p>
<p>Don’t worry! My friend only submitted an ACT score and got into Princeton. There really is no preference. Good luck!</p>
<p>No, they don’t value one test over the other.</p>
<p>Either test is fine and in your case the ACT is better. Be aware however of some rules of the ivies:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Yale, Penn, Columbia and Cornell are “all scores” colleges that reject score choice and thus you should avoid withholding any scores from them. The rest of the ivies allow you to send what you want.</p></li>
<li><p>Yale, Penn and Brown take the ACT in lieu of both the SAT and SAT subject tests and, in fact, those present two separate evaluations. If you send ACT and not SAT then ACT only is considered for admission without any SAT subject tests. The subject tests are considered only as part of the SAT package and you must send an SAT if you want subject tests considered. If you send SAT, ACT and SAT subject tests, they will determine which they think is better for you in favor of admission, the SAT plus the subject tests or, alternatively, the ACT. The rest of the ivies require subject tests and use them with either the SAT or ACT, whichever one is thought to be better if you send both.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>@drusba, thank you for that information. DS is taking subject tests this weekend, but I asked this question in the first place (altho’ I forgot to say that), because he’s wondering if he really needs to attempt the SAT I again, or can be done.</p>
<p>From what you’ve said, I’m thinking it would be good to try it one more time. That way, if his subject tests go really well, he might have a stronger SAT I score to be evaluated alongside them. The 2250 won’t drag down the application alongside the 36 ACT, will it?</p>
<p>Drusba, my son applied to Penn and submitted his ACT along with SAT two subject tests, as required. Nowhere in Penn’s admissions materials/website does it indicate that if you submit an ACT, you don’t need to submit two subject tests, so you may want to double check this.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Why would they lie?</p>
<p>Congrats to your S.</p>
<p>From above: “Nowhere in Penn’s admissions materials/website does it indicate that if you submit an ACT, you don’t need to submit two subject tests, so you may want to double check this.”</p>
<p>I have and go to: [Penn</a> Admissions: Required Tests](<a href=“http://www.admissionsug.upenn.edu/applying/testing.php]Penn”>http://www.admissionsug.upenn.edu/applying/testing.php) where Penn explains that the ACT is taken in lieu of both the SAT and SAT subject tests.</p>
<p>I was hoping this link would clear it up, but the use of the word “may” is confusing. Why not just say “are not required”?</p>
<p>[Compass:</a> Admissions Requirements](<a href=“SAT Subject Test Requirements and Recommendations - Compass Education Group”>SAT Subject Test Requirements and Recommendations - Compass Education Group)</p>
<p>At Yale, you don’t have to report the SAT scores if you prefer to submit ACT, although if you submit the SAT Subject Test Scores, you have to submit the SAT score as well. From the admissions website:
If I have taken the SAT and at least two SAT Subject Tests, and the ACT with Writing, must I report all scores from both testing agencies? Can I send only the SAT test scores or only the ACT test scores provided that I fulfill Yale’s testing requirement?
Yes. As long as you provide a complete set of score reports from one testing agency (either the College Board or ACT, Inc.), you are not required to report scores from both. You can choose to report either all of your SAT results (both SAT and SAT Subject Tests) or all of your ACT results. If you want us to have any scores from both the College Board and ACT, Inc., you must report all scores from both testing agencies</p>
<p>Just note I am not just relying on the website for the Penn info which i personally think is clear. i have talked to Penn admissions persons in the past and am aware of students admitted to Penn with only ACT submitted. The ACT has long been accepted there in lieu of both SAT and SAT IIs.</p>