My daughter is applying EA. She’s not sure whether to apply test optional. Her ACT is inline with the average but low relative to her GPA so not something that would help her. I know you need to submit for the highest merit award and the website says a 30 ACT or above. I’m wondering if anyone knows whether that is a hard cutoff or a general statement about the typical recipient. If it’s a hard cutoff then she likely wouldn’t submit her ACT.
Thanks for any info.
Based on what the AD said at the information session this summer, students would not be considered for merit scholarships unless they submitted standardized test scores, and those cutoffs are firm numbers, not general.
Thanks, that’s helpful!
So my info is several years old. But when my D applied, she DID send her test scores (her SAT was a little better than her ACT, so that is what she sent). Her SAT was okay in terms of the cutoffs on the website, but her GPA was a little under the cutoff they published at the time. However, she had a “knock it out of the park” interview with her regional admissions officer before applying. (This is the kid who I’d put in front of ANYBODY to charm their socks off – and she did). She ended up getting the merit award for the GPA that was higher than hers. So it wasn’t hard and fast… but my kid did have something that offset the slightly lower GPA.
Of course they could have changed that rule to make it firm. Or they might mean it more with the test scores than they do for GPA (very possible). Or your D might not have a strong “other” component like my D apparently did. Is your D’s ACT close to the 30 mark (like a 29)? Then I might include it.
Also, I should clarify that the standardized test cutoffs were only for the $20K and $25K scholarships; the smaller scholarships didn’t have a minimum test score requirement. But agree with the poster above that you should send and hope for the best!
Sorry typo above - meant $15K (not $25k!!)
Thanks for the additional info. She has a 28 and a 4.1 GPA. She has an on campus interview next month. She typically does well with interviews but not sure so well that she stands above the rest. She does have a compelling story because she has a disability and so generally needs to work much harder than others to get the grades she does. If she feels comfortable, she may ask at the interview.