<p>You know what? We just went through this two years ago but I really do not remember (although DS#1 was very last-minute, was not applying to any schools EA or ED). DS#2 will be applying early to a few schools with rolling admissions and EA to several others. Any reason not to send SAT scores, like, now? Collegeboard says something about sending scores early demonstrating interest. Earliest applications will probably go out a few weeks into September. Also, he will be taking a couple of subject tests in October--should he wait until they're done? And any harm if he sent scores to a school but later decided <em>not</em> to apply (other than losing the reporting fee)?</p>
<p>Again, I know this is Applying to Colleges 101 and I feel like I should already know, but thought I'd check with my CC go-to people.</p>
<p>If you are taking more tests, why sending scores now when you have to send again after taking more tests. If you are sending for free as part the 4 free scores, then it may be beneficial to send now because if you don’t improve your score, you don’t need to pay to send again.</p>
<p>Otherwise, I would not listen to Collegeboard, their motto is always whatever makes them more money, that is what you should do. Sending now may show interest but I doubt it will increase your chance for acceptance. It may just mean that you will get more mails/email correspondence from the school, but I don’t think that means you got a boost to your application.</p>
<p>There should be no harm in sending scores without applying, after all what can the school do? I would never pay to send a score without knowing for sure that I was applying. However, free scores were sent to some schools that we were interested in but subsequently we did not apply because we were accepted ED to our first choice.</p>
<p>ScoreChoice may effect your decision but most likely, for schools that accept ScoreChoice and super score, it does not matter when you send your scores, you just need to send all your best scores. Schools that does not accept ScoreChoice, and want all your scores, you need to send all the scores anyway. So, waiting to send all the scores after you take all the tests probably what needs to be done at the end.</p>
<p>The whole thing stinks because CollegeBoard requires that you send the free scores before you even see the result. The free scores are almost useless except for the ones after the very last tests you take. CollegeBoard has thought this through and they very well understand that this is the way to make the most money.</p>
<p>I’m going to disagree with the above poster a bit. If you are applying to rolling schools or EA schools that DO NOT need the subject tests - send those out now. Waiting to take the subject tests in October means those scores won’t arrive at the schools until November - you might miss an EA deadline or put yourself later in the mix or the rolling schools. If the subject tests are for RD schools - that’s fine - hold off on sending those scores out until the subject tests are done and they can all go out together - I’m assuming those are for RD schools with 1/1 or later deadlines. </p>
<p>My reasoning behind this is that colleges are inundated with mail and with scores, etc. The chances of your stuff being matched up properly are best at the beginning of the year. It gets crazier and crazier as you move towards January 1st. Why take the chance of your scores being rcvd late or misplaced? Why take the chance of missing an EA deadline because you sent the scores in late October? Not worth it to me. Even if you do end up paying more to CB - that’s pennies compared to the overall cost of a college education - not worth worrying about getting your scores in on time. Send them now and be done with it.</p>
<p>I agree with rockvillemom only if the schools do not need subject tests. Otherwise, you are wasting your money sending the tests early. Sending out scores in September after the tests is plenty of time before any EA which deadlines are usually in November. Rolling application can be done anytime, I don’t see why you want to pay hundreds of dollars applying to a lot of schools before hearing from your EAs or ED. Maybe sending one application to your top rolling first and send more if you don’t get in there in a timely manner depending on how competitive you are with the rolling school you are applying.</p>
<p>I know of many students who got in the most competitive schools applying the eve of the deadline. Moreover the deadline for SAT is usually after the application deadline, the adcom is usually pretty lenient with that. It is not about being early, it is about having the right qualifications to be accepted.</p>
<p>Thanks for the input. When we logged into collegeboard, it said we had four free reports accumulated (DS sat for the SATs three times and has not yet sent any scores). The schools he’d be applying to earliest are generally safeties for him (fingers crossed!). None require subject tests (although we were thinking to possibly send those scores later if he does well anyway? Does that make sense?). I’m not terribly concerned about paying an extra score reporting fee or two.</p>
<p>I know on another thread someone has already posted an acceptance to Alabama. DS stayed back a year so all of his friends are leaving for school in the next few weeks and he seems anxious to get going on the applications. I think he’s thinking hitting the “send” on submitting SATs to a few schools is one more step in the process he could check off.</p>
<p>DS took math 2 subject test for some reason or another being graded as literature. You can guess what the result was. By the time it got corrected the schools had already the BAD score. One school DS wanted very much to be accepted into keeps both of the record.</p>
<p>Therefore, for your peace of mind wait until you know what you are getting. Just my 2 cent.</p>
This is NOT good advice if you are either a) seriously interested in your rolling schools or b) looking for non-guaranteed merit aid. Earlier is better in either of those cases.</p>
<p>Hmm… My daughter’s situation is somewhat related so I was anxious to weed through this thread but now i’m more confused since the input is so conflicting. </p>
<p>Applying EA to two schools. Current scores are fine to gain admissions BUT retesting early fall in the hopes of upping a few points (30) to qualify for the next level of merit scholarships. So, do we send scores now to hope to secure a spot, then submit new scores later in the fall if they’re higher to help boost merit aid?</p>
<p>PT–it’s early and I haven’t had my caffeine yet but I’m quite sure that I read on the web site of one of the schools DS will apply to (non-common app, EA) that you could apply and then later send any new/updated/improved scores to be considered for merit aid. Might be a school-by-school basis, but it seems like that should be possible.</p>