Submit ACT or ACT and SAT?

Test Preparation
1

Hello everyone I will be a senior in the fall, so I am just starting to apply for college. I took the ACT and SAT and I was wondering if someone could help me decide which ones I should send:

SAT:
First try: 1480 (790 Math, 690 English)
Second try: 1570 (800 Math, 770 English)

ACT:
First try 36 (4 sub scores of 36)

I heard a rumor that colleges view the ACT as much easier, so should I submit both just to prove that I can do well on both, or is the 36 enough?

Some of the more competitive colleges I’m applying to are: MIT, UC Berkeley, Carnegie Mellon, and Stanford.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

2

I dont think colleges think that ACT is easier than the SAT. Both are hard tests that need months of preparation.
With that in mind I would submit both tests because you did amazing in both and it will look great to colleges— though taking 2 tests wont give you a huge advantage.

Based on the colleges that you are applying you are a competitive applicant and have aa good chance of getting in.

3

The rumor you heard is bunk. Contrary to what many may believe, admission officers at colleges do not sit around discussing whether a 36 ACT is better or worse than a 1600 SAT. If you have a real high test score, SAT or ACT, that means that factor is completely filled in for admission and no one will be making a decision against you because its the ACT instead of SAT, or vice versa.

4

I think the rumor was planted by the college board, especially now since the SAT is falling behind the ACT in popularity. I would submit both the second SAT and the ACT.

5

Colleges do NOT view the ACT as easier than the SAT. You have great scores, of course. Some of those colleges might require that you submit all test scores, and you will have to comply. Personally, your score of 36 can’t be beat, so I would just submit that if that is an option.

6

Okay thanks for the advice! And I’m happy to hear that you think I am a competitive applicant!

7

@Lindagaf Okay thanks for letting me know, and yeah I think I will just submit the 36 then.

8

@suzyQ7 haha definitely sounds like something the college board would do!

9

The super high ACT/SAT scores alone don’t make you competitive. You just passed one hurdle.

To make you competitive with those elite colleges, your GPA, extra curriculars, application essays, recommendations, etc better be really good.

Even then, it’s still hard to get into those colleges. If the person reviewing your college application is having a bad day, you’re out of luck.

10

@mmk2015 I completely agree. Actually if you have like 5 spare minutes, I typed up all my other stuff here, and if you could give me a better understanding of my chances that would be greatly appreciated!
http://talk.qa.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/2092211-chances-of-mit-berkeley-carnegie-mellon-and-stanford.html