SAT and Special Circumstances

Hi! I will be applying ED to Darmouth for Fall of 2023. With this, I have some concerns about the SAT optionality.

For context: I am not sure that I will be able to take the SAT. For several months now, I have been the sole caretaker for a part who is handicapped due to a stroke—due to which I do literally everything for the two of us. On top of this, I also juggle school, work, and extracurriculars. As a result, I have had almost no time to study for the SAT really don’t think I will take it.

Given my circumstance, would this hurt my chances for acceptance? Would they possibly be more lenient? Should I mention how these occurrences have impact my SAT abilities?

Or should I just take it?

Dartmouth is test optional. You should just apply without an SAT. You should not explain this, as it relates to applying without an SAT - just apply without an SAT. Certainly, your application should in some manner mention your circumstances, but you don’t need to mention why you didn’t take the SAT.

Make sure that you apply to an academic and financial safety school that you would be happy to attend. Who will assume care for your parent when you go off to college?

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First, I’m sorry to hear about your parent’s stroke. That’s a tough situation. As regards the SAT you can just go TO if you don’t feel you have the time to prep for it. Alternatively, you could take it without studying specifically for the test and see how you do - some kids do really well without additional time spent - if it doesn’t go well you can just not submit it.

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As others have said, you can just not take it. You could also do light prep meaning reading about test strategies, whether to guess, skipping questions in the interest of time etc. and see how you do.

But really it’s fine if you don’t take it.

The guidance counselor can write about your challenges with caregiving and you can also write about it in the supplementary essay, short and concise, explaining the situation.

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