<p>I'm applying to USC by January, and Northwestern in December.</p>
<p>However, I'm taking the SAT and/or the ACT in December, I'm pretty sure after the application deadline.</p>
<p>Will they accept the December test dates, or only the test dates taken before the application deadline?</p>
<p>I think I heard that some colleges will just hold my application if I say I'm planning to retake, and then evaluate it after those scores have been recieved.</p>
<p>Any info?</p>
<p>The information you want can be found by working through the admissions info on the the colleges' sites. Here is what they say:</p>
<p>USC:</p>
<p>"What is the last SAT or ACT sitting that USC will accept for fall applicants? </p>
<p>"We suggest that freshman applicants take all SAT and/or ACT exams by December of their senior year. Although we will accept scores from later sittings, we cannot guarantee that your results will reach us in time to be considered by our admission committee." </p>
<p>Northwestern:</p>
<p>"SAT Reasoning Test or ACT with writing required; three SAT Subject Tests recommended.</p>
<p>"Take tests by:</p>
<p>"For Early Decision: October test date</p>
<p>"For Regular Decision: December test date."</p>