Please advise which scores to send for Yale SCEA...

Colleges and Universities A-Z Yale University
1

<p>We've debated for weeks whether to post a question here, but we could really use some opinions on this issue. Our son (Yale legacy) is applying SCEA. He goes to highly competitive school where he's taken the hardest courses with mixed results (UW GPA = 3.6, which we already know makes him a long, longshot). However he's also a USAMO qualifier, had research published solo in peer-reviewed science journal, service, leadership roles, many other math-related ECs, some sports including basketball (won't continue). Clearly he did too much outside of school and his grades suffered, we already know that. But here is the question: </p>

<p>Should he send ONLY his ACT (35 composite, 35E, 35M, 36R, 35S, 8essay) from September of his Junior year? Only other sitting was 34 as a Sophomore.</p>

<p>His SATs were 800M, 680R, 700W early in Jr. year, with only one prior sitting as Soph (760M, 670R, 640W). As I understand it, unless he sends both sittings of the SAT reasoning, he cannot send his SAT subject scores which are 800 Math 1, 800 Math 2, 780 Physics, 780 US History.</p>

<p>So our question is whether he should just send only the ACTs (send one, self report the older one) or just send everything and hope for the best. We've read that Yale looks at only the "best" scores, but we're worried that the low reading/writing on the SATS will hurt him at Yale. He does hope to major in math, so reading/writing would count for less at most schools, but probably not at Yale. His friends are saying he should only send the ACT, but it seems to us like most of the SAT scores actually help him. It also seems more honest to just send everything. He's never taken a review course and refuses to retake either test to see if he improves his scores (stubborn teenager). We appreciate any good advice from informed folks. Thank you.</p>

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<p><a href=“http://professionals.collegeboard.com/profdownload/act-sat-concordance-tables.pdf[/url]”>http://professionals.collegeboard.com/profdownload/act-sat-concordance-tables.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>SAT = 1480 (M/R) + 700 (W) = 2180
Translated ACT score from Concordance Table = 1560 (ACT M/R) +800 (ACT W) = 2360</p>

<p>If you submit both SAT and ACT scores, I would think that Yale would use the ACT anyway, as it is significantly higher. So, I would just have him submit the ACT score from his junior year and self report the score from his sophomore year.</p>

3

<p>Right, we do all recognize that the overall ACT is better than the SAT reasoning. The question is whether by sending both SAT and ACT he harms his chances or helps his chances. Is the risk that the lower SAT reading worth it? Are the SAT subject scores of 800/800/780/780 so good that they offset so it is worth taking the chance that they won’t like his SAT reasoning reading score? Given his GPA, would it be better to give them more test scores (even a mixed bag) than fewer?</p>

4

<p>Test scores are only one part of the application. Contrary to what students and parents think, Admissions Directors do not focus that much attention on score minutia. Adcoms from Yale, and other selective colleges, repeatedly state that transcript and course rigor are the most important part of an application. Submitting multiple SAT/ACT tests – no matter what the scores, even perfect scores – will not offset a low GPA.</p>

<p>If your son submits both sets of test scores, Yale will notice that there is an upward trend on both the ACT and SAT from his sophomore to junior year. They will discount the SAT MATH 1 score as SAT MATH 2 encompasses MATH 1, the lower SAT reading score will be discounted, as he has a higher ACT reading score, and they will most probably use the ACT to calculate his Academic Index. </p>

<p>So, in the end, I don’t think it matters if he submits both sets of scores, as the Admissions Committee will be focusing on your son’s guidance counselor’s SSR report, which will describe his course rigor and where he stands in relation to other students at his school, as well as his teacher recommendations, essays and extracurricular activities. </p>

<p>I mentioned this in another thread, but one of my favorite quotes on College Admissions is from “What You Don’t Know Can Keep You Out Of College” by Don Dunbar: </p>

<p>“If the Admissions Office door has four locks on it, the first two keys are test scores and school record, and the third is a special talent or some other accomplishment or quality. What is the fourth key? It’s “character.” An old fashioned word, it means the way you develop your inner qualities: intellectual passion, maturity, social conscience, concern for community, tolerance and inclusiveness.”</p>

<p>Many students get rejected every year with 2400 SAT’s and are dumbfounded. The reason is that Adcoms are not focusing on test scores, but other salient details in an application.</p>

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<p>I could go either way, but I suggest sending just the ACT. Yale understands that a USAMO kid would score an 800 on both Math I and Math II, and I think the downside of submitting the low-ish SAT I outweighs the upside of sending the strong Physics and History SAT IIs. </p>

<p>That said, I don’t think it’s a slam dunk decision. Please don’t be at wit’s end over it!</p>

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<p>Send all for four reasons:

  1. It shows integrity and honesty, which colleges appreciate - no hiding of results with all cards laid down on the table.
  2. His SAT II’s are really good and might help offset that slightly lowish GPA.
  3. The SAT I is not that low - it actually is in the 25-75 percentile range of Yale - and it will be offset by the ACT anyway.
  4. The scores show that the student isn’t some number hounder, who will take the SAT 10 million times to get that 2400 - he has taken it twice, has scored well, end of story. Time to move on and engage in something more meaningful than mindless SAT prep…Adcoms appreciate that, too.</p>

<p>PS: Just my opinion.</p>

7

<p>Integrity and honesty has nothing to do with this decision, because Yale expressly permits you to send SAT or ACT. This is about strategy. Colleges use strategies to get the applicants they want, and they don’t reveal all the details of their strategies. Applicants are justified in doing the same, as long as they do so within the rules that the colleges have established.</p>

<p>I agree with those who think it won’t matter too much either way–but personally, if I were in your situation, I would send only the ACT. One additional point–my decision might be influenced by whether or not I lived in a state where there are a lot of kids who take only the ACT.</p>