SAT optional

Colleges and Universities A-Z College of the Holy Cross
1

<p>What do you think of Holy Cross's new SAT-optional policy? A ploy to get a larger applicant pool and thus a lower acceptance rate, or a genuine move to give more opportunities to students who are otherwise highly qualified but not fabulous testscorers? My stats are as follows:
SAT: 2020- 800W, 690CR, 530M (hence my concern)
SAT II: 720 USH, 670 Lit
GPA: 3.9W (top 10% of class, size of 220, competitive Catholic high school that seems to have good ties with Holy Cross...)
5 APs, mostly honors classes except those only offered at the college-prep level (ie. religion, gym, etc.)
My essays are excellent and my recommendations should be good. My interview went well. I attended their new prospective student overnight program in November, so hopefully that will help. </p>

<p>So, should I submit? I am thinking the 530 will hurt me big time... but I am afraid that if I don't submit, it might hurt me as well. Holy Cross is very familiar with the academic rigor of my high school, but still, SAT-optional schools are known for admitting non-submitters at a significantly lower rate than submitters, which is understable because it is hard to tell what grades, GPA, course rigor, etc. really mean from school to school.</p>

2

<p>Morningview, by all means apply. So...score a little low in math, but your other scores are strong. Coming from a rigorous Catholic school will help you. My d is a freshman. Her math score was lower than her verbal and she had a strong gpa from a public school. I would in fact submit by scores if I were you. Remember, if you don't try it will always haunt you that just maybe you could have gone to Holy Cross. My d is loving it and hope you do also.</p>

3

<p>I'm definitely applying. I just don't know whether or not I should submit my scores.</p>

4

<p>I would still recommend submitting them. I would only withhold them if you are considering a math major. Your other sat numbers are strong enough for most of their majors. I still believe that withholding sats just leads them to believe the worst. IMHO when two candidates have similar grades, ecs, and letters of recommendation, the sat will always be looked at.</p>