<p>My daughter did much better on the ACT than on the SAT. That being said, we already had her SAT scores sent to a few of her potential colleges. I heard today, however, that some kids are just sending the ACT (if they did much better on the ACT). </p>
<p>Did we screw up? And for some of the schools we have not yet sent ANYTHING to should we just send the ACT? I ALSO heard that some of the more rigorous (EMORY, CMU, BARNARD, MICHIGAN) schools look at the ACT with a grain of salt and REALLY want the SAT. </p>
<p>daryl: Different people do differently on the two tests. My oldest son was better at SAT. My daughter, ACT like yours. I've heard that some schools favor ACT. I've never heard the other way around. But I'd be interested in whatever feedback you get on this one.</p>
<p>The days of SAT preference on the east coast are generally past. Some midwestern schools still prefer the ACT and will tell you so. If both are sent in, MOST schools will look at your best single composite ACT and compare it to your best superscored SAT scores and focus on the better of the two tests. Having said that, I would suggest sending in only the ACT in the future if that is all that is required. There is no downside to doing so if SAT 2's are not required or suggested. This makes the application look much sleeker - I wouldn't muddy it up with lots of superfluous standardized tests.</p>
<p>Have your child take both of the exams. Admissions offices have charts that convert one to the other. I know students who performed better on one exam than the other and that gave them increased merit funds from the university of choice. If your child has a list of schools to which he intends to apply contact the admissions office and ask if they will accept scores from both examinations. </p>
<p>I'd suggest you only send ACT in future, though if you need to send SAT IIs, the SAT Is will be sent as well. I think they will look at her best scores, regardless of how you do it.</p>
<p>I am a huge fan of the ACT. It is a clean, knowledge-based tests. Without exception, the LACs my son was looking at asked for the ACT with writing OR the SAT plus one or more SAT II tests. Since testing IS stressful, taking one test (even if you take it multiple times) is much better than taking three distinct tests. Son #2 is only going to take the ACT, unless we're advised otherwise. For those with higher aspiraitons, I have a friend whose daughters took the ACT and SAT IIs, and both are enrolled in Ivy League colleges.</p>
<p>daryl: definitely send the ACT since few colleges have a preference anymore.</p>
<p>The vast majority of kids do equally well (or poorly) on both tests, but some testers do better on one or the other. Thus, its worth taking both to see which is a better fit. With score choice, taking the ACT first might be a good strategy since a "good" score (however defined by your student) on that test and the student could be done. Also, several highly rated colleges accept the ACT+W in lieu of SAT+Subject Tests.</p>
<p>But, I disagree with SJTH: the ACT is not as knowledge-based as it purports to be. For example, the so-called science section requires little actual knowledge of science, but rather the ability to speed read charts, graphs and data tables. (A AP Stat course would be better prep for the science section than taking science in HS.) The other thing to note about the ACT is that speed is at a premium.</p>
<p>I'd definitely send the ACT since its ~80 points higher. UMich cannot prefer the SAT since it resides in ACT country (LOL). </p>
<p>But, you can overthink this issue. It is in the college's best interest to only use the highest scores -- better for thier external reporting, rankings, etc. Also, depending on the college, the application reader may never even see the lower SAT bcos oftentimes interns review the test scores reports and write the highest scores on the outside of the applicant's files so the admission readers don't have to slog thru individual CB reports.</p>
<p>btw: also check if your HS puts test scores on transcripts. If so, you might ask them to remove the SAT scores.</p>
<p>
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I ALSO heard that some of the more rigorous (EMORY, CMU, BARNARD, MICHIGAN) and REALLY want the SAT.
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My daughter is at Barnard and submitted ACT's only -- she was also accepted at U of Chicago & NYU with that strategy. SAT's were submitted to U of Cal. because they require SAT II's, but for all of the private out of state colleges my d. submitted ACTs only.</p>
<p>I do agree with Bluebayou's comments -- the college will look at the highest scores, whichever they are. Sending both won't hurt, but a 32 ACT should definitely be reported.</p>
<p>Daryl. Here is what I have learnt from CC: look at the middle 50% (25% - 75%) test scores for each school of your interest. One would stand a better chance if the score is at or above the 75%. </p>
<p>A 32 ACT is in theory at 99% of all test takers. Considering how many kids never bother taking the test, your child is among the top 1% of all students.</p>
<p>As I've heard it described, those scores won't get her in but they won't keep her out either. It's a total package. As LB says, there's a better chance when the student is at or above the 75% for that school, but it's just one piece of the puzzle.</p>
<p>Bluebayou, I understand that tests alone are not enough. I understand that. My daughter's recs should be very good...her guidance counselor chose her (over 150 other students) for a "all around student" award. We didn't even know the award existed! And her teachers like her a lot. So I doubt she'll be sunk by a bad recommendation. The essay could certainly be an issue. </p>
<p>But I am just wondering out loud how high she canrealistically expect with the credentials given above.</p>
<p>With those stats, she can realistically expect to be competitive in the applicant pool, but so are thousands of other kids. There are more that 30k high schools in the US, so at least that many Vals, Sals, and tuba players. Sometimes it just comes down to who reads the file first. But, the essay is probably equally important, if not moreso, than recs. </p>
<p>I guess my point is that I don't think a 1500 would make her any more competitive, unless applying to a highly selective Eng-type program where a 750 math score is on the low end.</p>
<p>I am in a similar situation--a much higher ACT than SAT (34 vs. 1410/2170)...however, I already had my SAT scores sent to my top colleges, because my counselor had predicted that I would do better on the SAT (guess she thought wrong!)....however, I was originally only going to retake the SAT and/or take the SAT IIs....now, though, I am thinking I might take the ACT again along with/instead of retaking the SAT (35 or 36 would look better than, say, 2180)....anyway, does it really matter? Should I just take all of the tests or leave it at the ACT and possible SAT IIs?</p>