<p>Last weekend I did my first ACT paper, which I thought went well. I had taken the SAT twice previously with a 2200 as my highest score, but I wasn't happy with that and took it for the third (and last) time earlier this month. The Common Application asks us to self-report scores, but seeing as I have no clue if my ACT will be far better than the SAT or far worse (and that scores come out in 5-8 weeks; well past the application deadlines) I don't know whether to self-report my anticipated ACT scores or not. If I do well on the ACT, can I just submit them to colleges without having self-reported them? Can I self-report anticipated scores and just not send them? What do you think the best course of action is?</p>
<p>Do not self report ‘anticipated scores’. I am pretty sure that can land you in a lot of trouble. Send your ACT scores after the deadline if you wish (I am pretty sure that colleges accept scores sent in January). When I sent my application to UPenn, I didn’t report any score until like 10 days after the deadline. They reviewed my app and gave me an interview call as soon as they received my scores. I suggest self reporting your CURRENT SAT score since that makes a good first impression on the admissions comity. BTW, you have great SAT scores, I can’t even understand why you gave the test again…</p>
<p>Never report “anticipated” scores on any college application. That request in the common app for scores is for scores you already have not ones that might come. Just order your scores sent promptly upon release if you want colleges to consider them.</p>
<p>Thanks for that quick reply AltoLime (and drusba). I say I’m unhappy simply because my scores so far seem pretty unbalanced, for want of a better word. Tell me if I’m wrong: I got an 800 for CR, 700 for W and 700 for M. My physics subject test score was an 800 and maths a 780. My essays are persistently scored poorly (I only got 2 multi-choice questions wrong on the writing section but an 8 on the essay) and my maths just seems so (relatively) pathetic. </p>
<p>I gave the ACT a shot and found the entire test far more straightforward. The maths was really obvious, unlike some SAT questions. If I get a 35 or 36 on that I would much rather the adcoms have those scores than the SATs, but since I was foolish and decided to do my testing so late, the best I can ask for is for them to have both my SATs and ACT. </p>
<p>Thanks again for your advice; I think I’ll take it. I won’t self-report anything I haven’t done, and if I do well, I’ll just have those sent. Cheers!</p>
<p>By the way, when I meant ‘anticipated scores’ I didn’t mean actually entering an 800 for all sections because I think that’s what I’ll get (or some other number…). What I meant was putting a date in the future when I’ll take the test. I’ve copied and pasted this from the CA instructions: “Indicate all tests you wish to report. Be sure to include tests you expect to take in addition to tests you have already taken.” I have entered “SAT Tests, SAT Subject Tests, IB Subject Tests” but NOT the ACT. That’s what I’m worried about, especially because they say ‘be sure to’!</p>