Should DS send 36 ACT score to colleges before filling out applications?

<p>My DS received a 36 on his April ACT. His counselor suggested he should send his ACT report to a number of schools now, before getting applications completed, just to get on their radar and to possibly solicit more targeted interest from those schools. He plans to apply to a number of top 20 schools plus a few more that offer more merit aid. What would the pros and cons be of sending those ACT scores now?</p>

<p>Sending them to elite schools seems pretty showy, IMO. Every “Top 20” school receives a number of 2400’s/36’s. However, sending them to schools for merit aid doesn’t sound like a particularly bad idea. These schools may only get a 36/2400 once or twice per year, so showing interest is definitely appropriate.</p>

<p>Sending them in now to those sorts of schools won’t elicit any more attention than when they read his completed file. Is it impressive? Yes it’s a great accomplishment – and rare. But will it change anything? Likely not. </p>

<p>Congrats though and good luck</p>

<p>The Ivies won’t care about the early reports. Neither will MIT or Caltech. </p>

<p>The only schools that might bite would be Vandy and Emory.</p>

<p>…and by “bite” we are talking only more marketing materials. My son started getting a deluge of mail automatically after taking the ACT his junior year, even from the schools you are considering. I think the kids check a box when they take the test allowing colleges to mail to them. You probably don’t have to do anything at this point.</p>

<p>Correct me if I am wrong, but the decision makers won’t even know if the score is sent at most schools. The info will be placed in a file, and maybe something will be given to the regional rep, but most likely you will end up getting more mail.</p>

<p>My s sent his score to Emory, and did receive a (form) letter back from admissions, thanking him for his interest, yada, yada, yada. But note that Emory takes interest into consideration in its app review.</p>