<p>My D is planning to apply to Pitzer, which has an SAT/ACT optional admission policy. Her scores are toward the bottom of the 25%-75% middle range in both the SAT and ACT; about at 28-30%. Any thoughts on whether she should or should not submit her scores?</p>
<p>Hi Okeedokie,</p>
<p>Mom of Pitzer freshman who could not be happier with her college experience so good luck to your D! Two thoughts; a higher percent of Pitzer applicants do not submit so there will be not be a penalty for not submitting. If she qualifies via her GPA then don’t sweat it. My daughter’s ACT was 28 and she did submit it if that helps. More importantly, Pitzer is looking for student’s who have the potential “to change the world” so more important are her essay’s, EC, letters of recommendation and the video interview. If you can get to campus schedule an interview as with their growing selectivity demonstrating strong interest seems like a logical leg up. I am so impressed with her experience to date. This is a wonderful place and the 5 C’s add a whole other element of fun and opportunity.</p>
<p>If your daughter does not feel like her SAT/Board Scores do not accurately represent who she is and her academic abilities, I do not think she should submit her scores. Pitzer is an SAT Optional school, and we do not look at the SAT score unless the student has indicated that they want us to. </p>
<p>Remember that if she falls in the top 10% of her class or has an unweighted GPA of 3.5 or higher she does not need to submit any testing. If she does not satisfy these criteria or the school does not do ranking or GPA’s, she can submit two AP scores of 4 or 5 from English and Math, or submit two IB scores from the same subjects with scores of 5, 6, or 7. Or she can submit a graded essay from English or History and a graded math exam. So there are plenty of options to get around having to submit SAT, and we do not discriminate if you decide not to submit board scores. </p>
<p>Pitzer is more focused on fit, will the student fit in here, what can they contribute to campus, what can they take out, are their passions/interests inline with our values, etc.</p>
<p>From the website. But it is really about what your daughter feels would benefit her the most. We do super score, meaning we take the highest scores from each section of the SAT and come up with the highest possible total score. </p>
<p>Pitzer’s admission policy for first-year students provides applicants with greater flexibility in presenting application materials that accurately reflect their diverse academic abilities and potentials. Pitzer will exempt students who either graduate in the top 10% of their class or have an unweighted cumulative grade-point average of 3.5 or higher in academic subjects from having to submit any standardized tests (i.e. ACT or SAT). Applicants not falling into one of those categories will be required to submit at least one of the following options:
• ACT scores (including writing section), or
• SAT scores, or
• Two or more Advanced Placement test scores of at least 4: one must be in English or English Language and one in mathematics or a natural science, or
• Two International Baccalaureate exams: one must be in English A1 and one must be in mathematics (standard level or higher level), or
• Two exams: one recent junior or senior year graded, analytical writing sample from a humanities or social science course, AND one mathematics examination, preferably a final or end-of-semester exam in the most advanced mathematics course possible (at least at the algebra II level). The samples must include the teacher’s comments, grades and the assignment.</p>