<p>We all know there are a number of SAT optional schools. And it is easy to know that for a student with great GPA, class rank, ECs and references, but a lower SAT score, the scores would best be omitted from the application. What would you do in this situation....student is applying to an SAT optional school (first choice). She has terrific leadership skill (in fact, outstanding), good ECs, probably excellent references, but her grades are about a 3.0 weighted. She has taken an aggressive courseload (including AP and honors courses) and also has taken community college courses. She will not have a GPA that makes her eligible for even applying for NHS at her school (3.3 weighted GPA)...and has never made honor roll or gotten any academic awards. School is moderately competitive. Her SAT scores were in the 600's on each subtest. Would it be in her better interest to submit them?</p>
<p>Thumper:</p>
<p>My understanding is that SAT optional schools scrutinize transcripts very carefully; so they would note the APs, honors, cc courses and would take these into account when evaluating the GPA.
If the SAT scores are in the mid to high 600s, by all means submit them.</p>
<p>What are the SAT ranges for the school in question, compared to hers?</p>
<p>They are SAT optional so they don't post SAT ranges. But her GPA is on the lower side.</p>
<p>Thumper, my son is in a similar situation. His GPA is currently 3.68/4.5 (w). He had done very well in his freshman & sophomore years, but slipped a bit in his junior (most important) year. As per his GC's advice, he has written a letter explaining why he had a decline, and has emphasized he WILL do much better in his senior year - which he is. His SAT scores, like the girl's you mentioned above (your daughter?) are all in the 600s. One school he is applying to is SAT optional, but we are submitting his SAT scores. I think that scores in the 600 range are very good (depending on what college one is applying to). I think, that it also adds another piece of the puzzle - that is the student applying! I think schools need to look at all aspects of the student! No one is perfect... sometimes a student's grades in school do slip (for one reason or another). Letters of Recommendation, Essays, SATs/ACTs, EC involvement ALL ADD VITAL INFORMATION as to WHAT KIND OF PERSON/STUDENT they are!!</p>
<p>I say, submit those scores! :-)</p>
<p>Thumper, Can you get an idea about the sat scores? I agree that your D's sat scores are very solid. I would think that you would want to submit them, as long as they are at least in the mid-range for the school. Perhaps calling admissions could give you an idea (no need to mention names).</p>
<p>My son is applying to one sat optional school, but they do list their midrange scores, as most students seem to submit them, and my S's are scores are high for this school.</p>
<p>I agree with Marite's statement, that in sat optional schools they do tend to scrutinize the transcript .</p>
<p>Some SAT optional school have additional requirements for students who decide nto to submit scores. For example:</p>
<p>Muhlenberg has offered students the option of not submitting their SAT or other standardized test scores. Students who apply without submitting scores must have a personal interview with a member of the Admissions staff, and must submit a graded paper from an 11th or 12th grade class, with a teacher's grade and comments on it. They must also sign and submit the SAT-optional form with their applications. </p>
<p>Your best bet would be to look at the additional requirements for SAT optional schools. As some students still submit SAT scores , I would also look at he common data set or freshman profile to see where D's scores fall as compared to those students that submitted scores.</p>
<p>I hope this doesn't post twice!!</p>
<p>Northeastmom and Sybbie...this is not my daughter...it's a friend's child. My daughter is not applying to any SAT optional schools.</p>
<p>lelaellen....this student's grades did not slip. They have been solid B average all the way through school. By the way...I think your son's GPA looks mighty solid despite a slip.</p>
<p>Thumper, I am so sorry. I just assumed it was your D somehow, when I read "she". I just thought that you were adding on one more school!</p>
<p>It's OK NEM...These "I have a friend" posts are sometimes hard to follow. I WISH I could get my daughter interested in applying to another school, but she is very happy with the three she has done. She is a kid who WOULD benefit from SAT optional schools. Her class rank is 8/194 and her GPA is 3.87. She has great ECs and recommendations. Her combined verbal/Math SAT is 1200. My daughter is a member of NHS and has consistently been on the academic excellence list (what our school calls highest honors), except for one semester when she made high honors. She is a very hard and persistent worker in school.</p>
<p>Your D is a very good student! I wish her the best of luck on her admissions!</p>
<p>Know Bowdoin and Holy Cross are SAT optional-what are some of the other well known schools?</p>
<p>Complete list is on fairtest.org.</p>
<p>I believe Drew U. recently changed to SAT optional.</p>
<p>Yes, Drew is... so is Ursinus.</p>
<p>There is a growing list of schools, but some that say "SAT optional" still want SAT ll's (like Conn College) which to me really isn't SAT optional.(just my opinion) : )
<a href="http://fairtest.org/optinit.htm%5B/url%5D">http://fairtest.org/optinit.htm</a></p>
<p>Hi All...this thread is morphing a bit. We know the SAT optional schools and have viewed the list. The student in question (not my daughter) has chosen an SAT optional school. The question is...should she send her SATs to this school? Her GPA is a 3.0 with an strong courseload. This is not on the high end of GPA's at the SAT optional school. Would the sending of the SAT be a good thing, and helpful...or should she not send them (SAT subtest scores 600 give or take 20 points on each subtest).</p>
<p>Yes, I think she should send them. Especially since the GPA isn't stellar,if the scores aren't sent, the assumption will be made that the SATs are pretty bad. Sending the scores ahould help this girl.</p>