<p>I don't think I've seen this question in my 3+ years here. Most of son's applications say to list SAT or ACT scores, dates taken, etc. However, 1 says "Have you ever taken the SAT or ACT?" with a Yes and No box. You have to pick a box, it wouldn't let you leave it blank. He answered Yes, but left the score lines blank (which was okay as it let him leave these blank). He didn't want to report his ACT scores, but felt that it would have been lying to mark No because he did take the test. </p>
<p>Another application says "List scores from SAT and ACT." It doesn't say to list the highest or the ones you want to list, but just list them. Again he feels he needs to comply. (This is not usually a compliant child, but he won't do anything that has even the appearance of impropriety on his college apps). </p>
<p>His ACT scores were good, but not as high as SAT. His plan was to simply ignore the ACT (it's not on his transcript), and pretend it never happened. I told him I thought he was doing the right thing by answering the questions honestly, but wonder if the colleges intentionally worded the questions to force the students to list all their scores. Any ideas?</p>
<p>You said the question is "Have you ever taken the SAT OR ACT?" Note the emphasis on OR. He can truthfully answer yes and just give his SAT scores. He is under no obligation to report the ACT.</p>
<p>If you can't "Clinton" your way into answering the question to your personal satisfaction, I hate to say it, but if it really bothers you I would call and ask. It is annoying. I resent questions that I feel are intrusive and really NOYB and shouldn't be asked.</p>
<p>I disagree with the premise that there is a risk in having a lower score as well as a higher score reported in an application. Harvard admission officers, in public meetings, make clear that they believe that anyone can have a bad day, and that is why they give applicants the benefit of their HIGHEST previously obtained scores, section by section. Most of the most selective colleges do the same, and plenty of other colleges are happy to have students who score above the national median in any test.</p>
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I resent questions that I feel are intrusive and really NOYB and shouldn't be asked.
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<p>If having people post questions of this sort on this forum bothers you, you are under no obligation to read this thread.</p>
<p>I was under the impression that College Confidential was a place where people could feel safe asking others any sort of question about the college admissions process without being criticized for supposedly improper queries.</p>
<p>Marian!!! LOL That was a good one!! I was referring to the question on the application. I don't think it is any of their business to ask if you have ever taken the ACT. I also don't think it is any of their business to ask what other schools you have applied to. I must strive for greater clarity in my writing.</p>
<p>IMHO, you are under no obligation to ever mention the ACT score on any application. My kid was in a slightly different situation in that she wanted to send her ACT but withhold her SAT I. This was fine with schools that allowed applicants to submit ACT only, but for schools that wanted ACT plus SAT II's, we were concerned there was a problem since the ETS insists on sending every test the student has taken for a several year period. Her GC, who had worked in college admissions previously, told her that it was accepted practice, and considered ethically aboveboard, to write only the scores she was submitting on her applications; since the colleges allowed ACT OR SAT I, she could report only the ACT score in that category. Then, she could list her SAT II's only if they were required or recommended. And that is exactly what she did. She didn't mention her SAT I's on any application, even though the ETS sent her SAT I's along with her SAT II's, when SAT II's were required. Our GC said that although the admissions committees would have access to the SAT I's in this situation, they probably would not even see or consider them, since in her experience application folders had a single sheet on which the submitted scores (e.g. those listed on the applications) were recorded and could later be verified. We still worried that our D's SAT I's would be considered and she wouldn't be seen as as strong a candidate (Her ACT's were much better.), but her admissions results were fine. And in your case, when your son's ACT is not actually required, I don't see a reason to share them.</p>