<p>My son and I have heard different things about this. He's taken 3 SAT subject tests, the SAT once (not happy with score) and ACT with writing once (very happy with the scores). Are we supposed to submit all the scores? He's applying to Vassar, Skidmore (and other small liberal arts schools) and two SUNY schools. He thought that if he took the ACT he wouldn't have to submit his subject tests. Also, do we submit his all AP scores as well (he's taken 5 tests so far, gotten 4s on four of them, one three, and he doesn't want to submit the 3)? We don't have very good guidance at our school (huge NYC public) and would appreciate your advice greatly.</p>
<p>@cbdnyc - have you son check each school’s score reporting policy - you can usually find this info on admission requirement page. Once he knows what scores need to be sent to where, go to College Board and/or ACT web site and select the scores he needs to send. For most schools, if you have taken ACT w/ writing, you don’t need to send in SAT II scores. AP scores don’t need to be sent in - they can be self reported in CA or school specific applications. </p>
<p>You can pick either the SAT or ACT to send to the colleges. Your choice. You do not have to send both. So just send the ACT as it’s his better score. Check the school requirements but as noted above, many allow the ACT instead of the SAT and the subject tests…just be sure.</p>
<p>Re: AP tests. Don’t send them now…at all.</p>
<p>I agree with the above posters based on your school list. There are some schools like Penn and Stanford that have very specific test reporting requirements (all or all of one type) but most colleges do not.</p>
<p>Agree that you must check EACH school’s policy and see what they require.</p>
<p>Thanks for your responses. I’m confused as to why at a college meeting at the school they said most colleges want all scores to be submitted (e.g., if you take multiple SATs) and why other places we hear that you can pick and choose. </p>
<p>If you take multiple SAT tests, usually the schools receive all of the scores for the SAT. Some schools have score choice…whereby you can pick and choose, but most do not…all SAT scores get sent.</p>
<p>HOWEVER…this has NOTHING to do with sending in ACT scores instead, or sending AP scores.</p>
<p>You can send ACT scores and NEVER send SAT scores.</p>
<p>Thumper1 - thanks so much. Very helpful. I was confused and my son was very upset thinking he had to send the SATs when he did so much better on ACTs. If he did ok on SAT subject tests, should he send these as well, in addition to the ACT scores?</p>
<p>Again, your S needs to clearly understand not only what’s required but also how each school uses the scores. For some schools, they will superscore meaning they will use the highest subject matter scores (e.g., Math from one test, CR from another test…etc.). For those schools, you gain certain benefit by sending in multiple SAT scores. Each school is different so make sure your S checks school’s web site. That’s the only way to make sure. </p>
<p>Look at each school’s policy. If SAT subject tests are required or optional, send them. If they don’t ask for them, I wouldn’t spend the money to send them.</p>
<p>You’ll only send official AP scores to the school he decides to attend. </p>
<p>Once more…if his ACT score is superior to his SAT score, he will not have to send the SAT scores at all. He can just send the ACT.</p>
<p>He needs to check the requirements for the subject tests. Some schools will still want them, and others won’t.</p>
<p>Many schools have an admission or application checklist, try googling that for each school. Pay attention to requirements, they are seeing if applicant can follow instructions as well. We went to a presentation from one school that said they want SAT and 2 SAT subject tests, OR the ACT plus writing (no subject tests if taking ACT). And they made a point to say, do not send subject test scores if you are sending the ACT. Other schools require 2 subject tests, a lot of times this is for engineering majors and they want a math and science subject test. It varies, just have to look and keep track, avoid the rush and send them early so you aren’t worried about them not getting there. Good luck!</p>
<p>On each school’s website there is a section on Standardized Test Requirements, and this is on the Vassar’s website:
Your son can either submit ACT or SAT with 2 subject tests.</p>
<p>Have your son go on each website to get the requirements. For school like Cornell, applicants are required to submit 2 SAT II tests with ACT, for other school, only ACT is required. Each school is different.</p>
<p>oldfort, thanks. We have looked at that. The last sentence says that for candidates taking both the SAT reasoning test and teh ACt, Vassar will use whichever scores are higher. But does that imply that he needs to submit both? The first sentence of this paragraph says he can choose to submit one or the other, but the last sentence says the college will use whichever is higher, but that implies that they’ll see that lower score. I’m sorry I’m so confused about this . . . </p>
<p>Cbdnyc…we mostly are saying that your sin can submit only the ACT…but honestly, if you really are not clear…call the college. I’m sure the admissions folks at Vassar will be able to easily answe this question.</p>
<p>See Oldfort’s post…it clearly says SAT plus subject test OR ACT with writing. But call them and ask.</p>
<p>Thanks thumper1. I’ll have my son call to check. But I find it encouraging that it seems that he may be able to only submit the higher score.</p>
<p>Vassar is saying applicants can send in both and Vassar will use the highest scores, but they don’t have to. The first sentence clearly says you can send in either SAT plus subject tests or ACT.</p>
<p>The last sentence means that if your son decides to submit both the ACT and SAT then Vassar will use the higher score. </p>
<p>Last year my daughter submitted both the ACT and SAT because they are almost equivalent. But her SAT’s CR and Math score are really high so she submitted both. </p>
<p>2018dad - thanks so much. That seems very clear. I appreciate all the guidance I’ve received here today!</p>
<p>There are very, very few colleges that require SAT II tests anymore and there are very, very few colleges that need SAT if the student has taken ACT…but call if you don’t believe the college websites 
I know it’s a little bit scary for a first timer. Best wishes. </p>
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<p>For Cadre’s comment above, my third son looked at all the big top tier engineering schools along with the smaller LAC-ish engineering schools in PA and I do not recall a single engineering school that wanted SAT subject tests. In fact, my third son never took the SAT. The difference between my first in 2006 who took lots of tests and my third with only the ACT was striking and it’s good news in my opinion. Kids don’t need all those distracting tests. </p>