I am seeking admission to several Ivy League schools and considering whether to send in my SAT and ACT scores or only my ACT. I received a 36 on the ACT (in all sections) and on the SAT a 1560 (superscore) and 1540 (single sitting). Should I send both scores? Will it help, hurt, or make no difference? I understand that these schools technically have “no preference” between the two, but considering most students accepted submit their SAT scores (not ACT), I am a little weary of sending only my ACT score. At the same time, my SAT score isn’t as strong as my ACT score.
"I understand that these schools technically have “no preference” between the two, but considering most students accepted submit their SAT scores (not ACT), I am a little weary of sending only my ACT score. "
You are concerned over nothing. Congrats. Save the money to be sent to College Board and spend it on your dutiful parents instead.
But also carefully check the schools’ requirements. Most schools will tell you to send either the ACT or the SAT. Stanford specifically wants to see ALL testing:
Required Testing
The ACT with Writing or the SAT with Essay is required. Official scores from all test dates must be sent to Stanford directly from the ACT or the College Board (the reporting agency for the SAT) OR BOTH if the applicant has taken the ACT and the SAT. Applicants may not use the College Board’s Score Choice feature or “hide” any scores with either testing agency.
The ACT Writing section, as I have heard from friends who take it, is notoriously funky with its scoring. The ACT is a perfect score- congratulations! Unless a college has a stipulation that you must send your entire testing history (i.e. Stanford or Georgetown) I would recommend just sending the 36.