Sending Score Reports (Harvard SCEA)

[ilikepieman]

I have already taken the ACT (36 math, 35 on the other 3) and the math 2 subject test (780). I’m registered for the literature subject test tomorrow and Japanese with listening in November. I spent my junior year studying abroad, so the Japanese test won’t be a problem, but I’m not as confident about literature. I don’t want to use the “send scores when available” option for it because I’d rather wait until I knew the score before deciding to send it, so my plan is to wait until the 29th when scores become available. Then I’ll use the “send scores when available” option for the November test to send in all 3 or just math and Japanese. Harvard’s website says that they accept November scores, but I’m a little apprehensive about submitting my application in mid-October (as they recommend) and not submitting the test scores until December 1st when score reports arrive… None of the scores get sent in until the results are all final, so it could be an issue considering that decisions are made in mid-December and my scores won’t even get there until around 2 weeks before that. Is there a better way to do this?

Also, will they still have my ACT score report on file? I took it in June 2014 before going on exchange, so it’s been over a year since that report was sent. I don’t know of any way to confirm that they have it, so would it be worth sending another one? I’d rather send them 2 than assume it’s fine and end up getting rejected because they don’t have my official report (not that I have anything beyond a remote shot at acceptance anyway, it is Harvard). Thanks in advance.

[T26E4]

Here’s the rub. Send your ACT and take tomorrow off. There’s no school on the planet, Harvard included, that’s gonna NEED your SAT2s when you’re sending in a 35ACT. SAT2s are no longer required by Harvard, didja know that?

I’m only kidding but you’re seriously WRONG if you think your SAT2 scores are gonna dilute the strength of your application.

Here’s what Harvard’s admissions dean Fitzsimmons says:

Test scores are just one element of our holistic review. They can be helpful when they are particularly high or low but only in concert with high school grades, teacher recommendations, guidance counselor reports, interviews, essays, and all the achievements a student reports on the application.

With 35,000 people applying, you can see that standardized test scores are relatively unimportant in the end, because most of the people who apply have strong scores and grades and are fully qualified to be here. So the real question is to try to get beyond the test scores and grades. Examples of applicants’ accomplishments in math or music, to name just a couple of areas, help us do that. The people who have the energy, the drive, and commitment to do something unusual in math, music, athletics, theater, or any activity have transferable sets of skills. It’s human potential that now happens to be directed, say, at women’s rugby, but could also be directed at any other kind of activity during college and later.

Might you be rejected? Sure. But it won’t be because of anything that takes place in that testing center. Good luck nonetheless – but stop fretting.