Hello, I recently learned that my school sends transcripts with the entire testing history. I asked my counselor, and she said that the school does not adjust or alter the transcripts to remove test scores. I currently have two ACT scores of 34, which super score to a 35, and an SAT score of 1440. There seems to be a difference in the testing scores, as my ACT approaches 75th percentile for the top schools, while my SAT is skewed towards the 25th percentile end.
I plan to only self-report my ACT scores and send those in through official score reports, assuming that Score Choice is permissible and all scores do not need to be sent at that particular college. However, how will the SAT score factor in then, and is it necessary to actively pursue a change? I did notice that the College Board recommends that the scores should not be included in the transcript. Please advise.
Their school, their rules. The CB has no control over the HS. You can certainly involve your parents, but I’d wager they will not get far.
Regardless, colleges all say that they look at the best score, however each college defines best. So they will look at your ACT score. You’re fine to self report the ACT score and only send in the reports that the college requires.
This was an issue a few years ago at my kids’ school. There was enough parental feedback for the policy to change. Counselors now offer choice on which - if any scores are on the transcript. With more and more schools going test optional, it makes little sense to have the entire testing history on the transcript. I would politely escalate.
D’s HS was the same way, all testing history, including the incoming 9th grade placement test, was on the transcript. It just is what it is. We trusted that colleges would look at the best scores.
My kids’ HS used to put the state mandated test score on the final transcript only, but not on any of the interim transcripts (ones that would be used during the college application process)…they have since dropped the score on the final transcript as well, due to parental pressure.
I do think with the increase in the number of TO colleges, and fewer and fewer colleges requiring all testing history be submitted, that a number of high schools have changed policies re: testing history on transcripts, whether interim or final. If your parents are willing, it can’t hurt to have a conversation with administration, but getting the policy changed will likely require a group of parents advocating for it in a reasonable and thoughtful manner. Good luck.
IMO it won’t make a difference. Schools will use the highest score.
Hi everyone, thank you all for your response. We just decided to personally highlight the ACT scores during my applications. As I received the SAT score in the fall of my junior year, I simply decided to switch to the ACT and received the 34.25 last month. So, we are reasoning that the older scores would be discarded/ ignored in favor of my compatibility with the ACT. It could potentially take a couple of months to involve other parents and escalate the situation with no guarantee of a favorable change, and I will be needing support/recommendations from the campus counseling department.
Generally I agree. But in cases of applicants who choose to apply TO to one of the 1,400+ TO schools, the AOs can not ‘unsee’ the scores that are on the transcript (and have heard many AOs openly admit this)…which, IMO of course, is potentially problematic by making an intended TO application not TO. If I were going to advocate at a HS to change this policy, this is probably the lead reason I would go with as support for the change, but not sure it applies to OP’s situation.
I agree that one can’t unsee anything,but I also see no validity in freaking kids out over something that may or may not matter and over which they have no control. Yes personally, I don’t think schools should list scores on the transcript, or at least give the option. But when you’re going up against a bureaucracy that cites “policy,” IME, one student (or one set of parents) ain’t gonna get that changed anytime soon; you’d need a small army of complainants, with hopefully a few very influential members. I can’t imagine that this is the first application cycle that the HS has had to answer this question.
I just wanted to update anyone that will reference this in the future since I am the OP of the thread.
The transcript copy that I had received was marked unofficial and contained test scores. However, the lead counselor clarified that the official transcript that is submitted to colleges only contains grades and the state standardized testing.