<p>Both the SAT and SAT subject tests always give students the option to send free score reports directly to four colleges. Is it a good idea to send those reports? Do colleges actually see it as a sign of interest? </p>
<p>As a junior especially, I am not completely sure of which colleges will be receiving my application next year, so I have always been a little perplexed by that option. Does anyone have any insight to offer?</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>I’m sorry to bump this so soon! Because the January 2010 scores will be released on Thursday, I would really like to get an answer to this question so I know what to do with them =)</p>
<p>I think you’ve missed the deadline already! Isn’t it within 10 days of taking the test?</p>
<p>My advice is to send it to match/safety schools that you think you might apply to.</p>
<p>At collegeboard.com, I think it said that scores can be sent online until early March. </p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>I would not feel comfortable sending unknown scores into the void, so I simply waited and spent the additional $38.00. The scores may reach the colleges/universities at a later date, but I believe that it is best to be safe.</p>
<p>^ Such was my thinking.</p>
<p>its not a sign of interest because I doubt they look at SAT reports just lying there and they’re like oh, this young man has sent his SAT reports in</p>
<p>we’re eager to see his application in a year!</p>
<p>i dont think they even do anything with it until they’re reviewing ur application; then it is at their disposal to pull up</p>
<p>the 4 free thing basically means u’ll be sending it blindly
if u think u did good
send it
if not, dont.</p>
<p>that being said, I wouldnt send them if i were you.
I would wait to see the results, and if they’re not optimal, consider taking it(or those) again to improve so you have a choice(aka, the higher of the two!)</p>
<p>of course, you could send it to 4 colleges that you’re absolutely sure will be receiving ur application.
in the poster above u, i would assume that he’s an avid fan of Harvard, Yale and Princeton</p>
<p>so you could do that to save money but again, u’d have to be positive that they went as smooth as can be</p>
<p>How about sending them to likely safety schools/schools with free apps? Then, even if you don’t do too great, it’s not a big deal; but you may be able to save yourself a decent bit of money…</p>
<p>That’s what we did - sent to safety schools and schools not high on D’s list. My son sent scores to schools which he eventually wasn’t interested in yet because he sent his scores to them, they sent him acceptance letters. I think the guidance counselor must have sent his transcripts to the schools.</p>
<p>Yes, sending the scores to safety schools seems like a fine idea.</p>
<p>I think it would make sense to send it to schools who are listed as “All Scores” that you will apply to. I mean, your going to apply to those schools anyways so mine as well send your test scores in. Three reasons:</p>
<p>1) They are free.
2) The “All Scores” schools will see all your scores anyways, even if you don’t submit them now.
3) Who knows, maybe it does show a early sign of interest (highly doubt).</p>
<p>Does my logic make sense?</p>
<p>Will the schools that recieve your scores retain them until you apply?</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Yes, they will.</p>
<p>Hey silverturtle, I’m not so certain this is the case. I was on the phone w/ Harvard admissions soon after the test w/ questions regarding credits earned at their ssp. During that conversation, I asked whether they were bothered by receiving scores in Feb from juniors. She indicated they only look at scores from applicants looking to start in 2010 & that they “reject” scores from juniors; she said generally they have problems w/ applicants who send info in late but that the few who send this early are too early. It didn’t sound like it was at all helpful & I’m not so sure they retain the scores since she indicated they reject them.</p>
<p>That being said I called CB for clarification. You can use the "free’ reports but they only apply to scores from that test & prior to that test. So, if you re-take, you have to again submit scores to those same 4 schools. We opted against sending but, if there’s a re-take in the fall, we’ll use the 4 freebies as we imagine that’ll be the last test. I hope this makes sense & is helpful to some of you.</p>
<p>On another note, silverturtle, I have to say I find your posts & responses to be very thoughtful & helpful; thank you!</p>
<p>Like seemingly everyone else on CollegeConfidential, I, too, have Ivy League ambitions and so I did not send the four free reports in accordance with the logic all of you seem to have confirmed: if the scores turn out to be less than what I had hoped, I will have prevented my top-choice schools from viewing the unsatisfactory results (at least for the time being!).</p>
<p>That said, thanks to everyone for their insight! I am already signed up for the March date and will definitely consider sending those reports to my safeties, and my safeties only. (Also, to clarify an earlier post, the last date for sending the free January reports was the first of this month, not early March!)</p>
<p>To Only01, your post is especially helpful and enlightening!</p>
<p>To everyone expecting the January results tomorrow, best of luck!</p>
<p>We too were faced with this dilemma, my son and I discussed the factors and came to the same conclusions. One thing we did though, and this only applies if you are NMSF likely is to send one of your free reports to National Merit Corporation. I read this great piece of advice somewhere on here and I thought I’d pass it along.</p>