<p>When's the last test date for most colleges? I know that if you take the December 7th SAT, you will get your score on December 26th. Since most regular decision deadlines are January 1st, will colleges be able to receive the test scores in time?</p>
<p>If you do rush reporting as soon as you receive the scores, then most likely yes.</p>
<p>What happens if I submit my application before I send in my score? Will they see my application before they receive my score?</p>
<p>Whenever you submit anything that is required for applying for admission such as test scores, the college sets up an admissions file for you and they are matched to any application that arrives later.</p>
<p>If you identify a college in your test application as one to automatically be sent scores upon release, such as one of your free sends or another added for a fee, the score will arrive before Jan 1 (that results in the fastest form of delivery, faster than choosing rushed scores after a score is released).</p>
<p>Likely, if you order the score sent regular delivery immediately upon release, it will also arrive before Jan 1.</p>
<p>Moreover, it is highly likely the score is not due by Jan 1. Check the colleges you are applying to and see what they say. Unless they actually say the score must be in their hands by Jan 1 (very few do that), it can arrive after Jan 1, and you need consider rushing only for the few. Even then be aware of the typical process followed by colleges for regular admission after an app deadline. If by about the third or fourth week of Jan, something needed such as test scores has not arrived, they don’t just drop you. Instead they send a notice (likely via email these days) telling you to get what is missing in promptly.</p>
<p>Invariably colleges with Jan 1 or after app deadlines take through the Dec test. Neverhteless, also check the colleges you are applying to for last accepted test date because many of those actually take through the Jan test and a small number (e.g., UChicago) even take the Feb ACT.</p>
<p>Thanks drusba! What happens with the ACT though? Taken w/ the writing part, it’ll take between 5-8 weeks to receive them, and by that time, it’ll probably be over the due date of Jan 1st. Will colleges be able to receive the ACT plus writing by Jan 1st if I take it in December (Dec 14th), even though it takes longer for the writing scores to be received?</p>