Should I send both my SAT and my ACT to more selective schools?

I’m getting my applications ready, and I’m not sure whether I should send just my SAT to my more selective schools or if I should just eat the $12 per school and send my ACT too. My scores are as follows:

SAT: 730 CR, 760 M, 790 W Composite 2280 (1 sitting)

ACT: 35 English, 33 Math, 34 Reading, 28 Science, 31 Writing, Composite 33 (1 sitting)

My scores are in the middle 50% or above for all of the schools I am applying to, and I think my SAT is slightly better than my ACT. However, my ACT reading score is really good, and I don’t feel like I did that great on SAT CR compared to my other sections. Admission to elite schools such as the Ivies is so competitive. Does it make sense for me to send both tests?

Note: I can afford to send my ACT scores, but I feel bad costing my parents $20+ to send scores to every school along with an application fee. I’m sure my parents would appreciate holding on to that extra money. Also, I’m applying to six schools that are selective enough that I am considering sending both scores.

Thank you!

Actually, per the concordance tables your ACT is slightly better than your SAT score. If you can afford it, I’d send both. Do you also have SAT subject test scores? Many of the highly selective schools will want to see those as well.

I haven’t taken subject tests yet, but I am taking Literature, US History, and Math 2 in October and Physics in November. I’m just confused because it seems like according to this link: http://www.act.org/aap/concordance/pdf/reference.pdf my SAT is equal to about a 34 ACT. I’ll probably end up sending both to a lot of my schools, to be honest.

@suzy100 I think you may have misread the OP. The ACT Composite is a 33, not a 35. The SAT is better.

Just send the SAT. You don’t get extra credit for sending both. Save the $.

^^Agree, I did misread that and thought the 35 was the composite. Sorry about that!

I agree with @“Erin’s Dad” - I’d just send the SAT.

The SAT is better and is more evenly distributed. For ACT, there is one section below 30 but it is one of the least important section. Should you send both? Yes, if:

  1. Cost is not an issue
  2. School wants all scores
  3. You are not sure if one is better than the other.

The last one is really hard to determine as different schools may use a different conversion chart. Also, they may put more emphasis on certain section score.