<p>Just a quick question for you guys: I am taking my first SAT in October. Now, do I have to submit some part of my application ("open the admissions file" this might be called) BEFORE I take the SAT so that colleges know "where to save" my SAT scores? Or can the very first time I send something be well after I've taken my last standardized test? This really confounds me. </p>
<p>IOW: Can I apply (send everything at once) in December, but take the SAT in October and still have my SAT score from October count for my application?</p>
<p>Thanks a lot! @entomom, you mentioned the free score reports. Can I use my SAT scores to apply to a school I don’t DIRECTLY send the scores? As in, taking the SAT without any recipients and then sending the scores some time later. I ask because as of now I know I’ll be applying to 5 colleges. My question is: if I add those schools to the “direct recipients” but want to apply to an entirely differnet school later on (which is not among the list of recipients) can I still use my SAT scores?</p>
<p>You can use the same SAT score again in the future. You have a certain number of SAT reports that are free with the cost of the exam. Follow the instructions at the SAT website to pay for any other reports that you need to send to colleges and universities later on.</p>
<p>When you take an SAT test you can designate in your application four colleges to receive the scores when released for no extra charge. You can also send scores after the scores come out but you pay a fee of $10.50 per college when ordering through College Board. When you order any score sent by College Board, it always sends all scores it has for you, current or past, unless you specifically chopose not to send a particular test. </p>
<p>You can send either test scores or your application first to a college and it will start an admission file for you and anything sent thereafter gets matched to that file.</p>
<p>Whether you can wait until December to send in application depends on college and you better check the application deadlines for each college to which you intend to apply because there are a number that have deadlines before Dec (for example, the UCs require your application to be sent by Nov 30).</p>
<p>Whether you can wait to send application and scores at same time also depends on college. For most colleges the test scores can arrive aftrer the application deadline, but there are a small number that actually require the scores to be in their hands by the application deadline. Thus, if the college has a Jan 1 deadline and your intent is to send the application Dec 31 and order scores sent by College Board at that time, you may blow the deadline because those scorers aren’t going to arrive by Jan 1. Again review the on-line information the colleges have for what you must do by when because blowing the deadlines is a disaster you must avoid. Also note that colleges usually require a high school transcript and many require recommendation letters or a counselor’s form that verifies your grades and current classes. You need to assure those things are taken care of so that they are timely sent and teachers need time to prepare rec letters and you won’t be able to find a counselor or get your high school to send a transcript if your school is closed for holidays the last half of December.</p>