Hi y’all,
I will be applying to Yale and I’m taking the ACT not the SAT.
I took it once as a practice in grade 11 for the first time and I did pretty bad (28 C). And I’m aware that Yale requires ALL scores to be sent.
I’m retaking the ACT this September which should increase it (I did prep this summer and I have well over 30). I mean they say they’ll only consider my highest, but I’m still unsure whether I should delete my previous ACT scores.
What should I do?
You should enter into a relationship with your desired college that treats them with the respect that you wish for yourself. You “know Yale requests ALL scores to be sent.” Would deleting your score be honest? Do you expect to be treated with honesty?
I understand that it’s an anxious time. Raise your game.
My child deleted their first low score, similar to yours. It worked out fine. Good luck!
I didn’t know you could delete your previous scores! I also took the SAT as a junior and got a really bad score (1330). My advice though, is that sometimes having a bad score and then a really good one can actually be beneficial! I participated in the YYGS program this year, and had a conversation with an admissions officer who said that the value effort. Also, you were a junior, and if you were in a situation similar to mine, you probably knew nearly nothing that would be on the test. The officer did say that she considers SAT and ACT scores to be the least important part of your app, so don’t stress too much.
My son wanted to take a practice SAT at the end of 9th grade but we were under the impression if he did that he would have to report the score. Is there a way to take it just for the practice and not keep the score or have to show the score?
@yearstogo , my understanding is that ACT results that were for talent searches are dropped. So, I think that scores before the 9th grade can be deleted.
Take practice tests, timed, in a setting similar to test conditions, to provide practice. Or, just own up to the scores. AOs don’t make half as big a deal about an outlier score as students. Everyone can take a practice test, or have a bad weekend morning, or a headache, or . . .
Daughter took SAT three times all at the same location and three different years. Once for a benchmark in 10th grade. Once in spring of 11th to make sure all of the answers were correct but the test wasn’t finished and once in early fall of 12th where she trusted her initial answers and just finished the test. She has slight OCD so testing in the same place and giving her the chance to check and recheck her answers was critical to her sanity. Each test she scored higher. She will be a junior at Yale. Don’t overthink but be honest. You are who you are and your scores will reflect your efforts and growth. Taking it more than once and not being perfect the first time won’t kill your chances.
I think I’ve decided from your comments that I won’t delete my first ACT scores.
However, I also have the dilemma for my SAT2 scores. I took them for the first time in May of my junior year, and I was used to the ACT style scoring that I guessed for all questions I didn’t know (which definitely brought down my scores significantly). I got a 740 in math 2 (which isn’t that bad) but 600 in physics. I am retaking them this August, and after practicing them for the summer I have a solid 800 in math 2 and solid 750+ in physics. Should I think the same for these as the ACT, that they would focus more on how I improved than how bad I started with?
@equality4all , your essays, grades, and LoRs will count much more than any of the scores. Some might disagree, but I have been impressed with AOs ability to “read between the lines” on LoRs. Based on students I’ve known, with good stats, it’s uncanny how they have “known” which kids were the “real deal” and which were posers.
That said, the odds are against almost everyone. Statistically, you won’t get accepted, and what you don’t want to do is blame your test scores (or grades, or ECs, or LoRs). Most applicants will be rejected. Having regrets is unprofitable. Present your best application and good luck.
From Yale’s website: “SAT Subject Tests are recommended but not required. Applicants may be selective in reporting SAT Subject Tests.”
I take that to mean that you can submit your ACT score (you have to submit them all) but don’t have to report all of your Subject Tests.