<p>Hi guys (newbie to the forum),
I am applying regular decision to Dartmouth for the class of 2019. I was looking through the FAQs on the Dartmouth website for testing requirements and it states: "If you submit scores from the SAT and ACT, we will look at whichever comparable score is higher." I have taken the SAT once in the fall of my junior year and the ACT once in the fall of my senior year. The SAT, sadly, did not go extremely well (did not study at all, a huge mistake), but my ACT was much (much) better--except my essay score. My dilemma is that I got a 12 on my SAT essay, yet an 8 on my ACT essay; should I submit both my SAT and ACT scores to Dartmouth so they will consider my high essay score on the SAT even though the other scores on my SAT are lower, or should I just submit my ACT? Are there any benefits or detriments to either one? Thanks guys for your help, I am sure I'll see more of all of you soon on the site!!
-B</p>
<p>Does it say on the Dartmouth website whether the AdCom looks at subscores?</p>
<p>It says “If you submit both, we will look at your highest equivalent score. For the SAT, we take the highest section scores from any of your test dates. For ACT, we take your highest single composite score.” Does equivalent score mean subscores or composite? There is no real clarification anywhere on the site…</p>
<p>I don’t think they’ll look at the 12. I think they’ll look at the SAT written score out of 800. </p>
<p>For the ACT, if they say Composite then presumably they will just look at the Composite Score so the subscore- especially the one pertaining to the essay- probably won’t be seen by anyone. The essay is actually reported like a subscore of a subscore.</p>
<p>This is just what I surmise based on a quick visit to Dartmouth’s website. You can always call the Admissions office to verify, but I was put on hold once for 15 minutes.</p>
<p>Okay I will call the admissions office and see what they say. Thanks for your help @bsalum !!!</p>
<p>I tend to doubt that the essay score is considered to mean much. Scoring of essays in the context of standardized test is fairly bogus. They will be able to get a much better idea of your writing from your essays. </p>
<p>I do not think they are going to look at your essay from the SAT and the rest of the ACT – and since your SAT as a whole was very low, I would only submit your ACT, personally. Your AP English scores and your grades in your English classes should hopefully show the strength of your writing.</p>