Hi CC community
I have recently just sent my scores into colleges I will be applying to, only to be surprised by the notion that some require all scores. As I’ve been scouring the Internet for more info on this I have come across many varying opinions. Some say that it is taboo not to send all scores in and looks shady, even if they’re not all required. I did not know this was even a thing and omitted one score. Nothing sinister, I just knew all my schools used the highest score policy so I decided to omit one. Luckily, none of the schools I applied to are “required”, but I hear this could reflect poorly on me. Can anyone give me a clear idea on what I should do? I don’t mind sending my other score. Also, this was a simple mistake. Please do not berate me, or ask why I just didn’t send them all. Thank you
It depends on the college. There is no one size fits all answer so don’t scour the internet looking for one. It is certainly not taboo or shady to not send all scores if the college does not require all scores.
Search each specific school and see what their standardized score policy is. You haven’t made a mistake so don’t be so hard on yourself! If a college specifically requires ALL test scores, it will state they require all. When you order SAT scores, college board displays a message telling you the college is an ALL test scores college.
If the college is NOT an all test scores college, you can choose to send your highest score and don’t have to send all scores. Sometimes you will send more than 1 score to a school if they super score. I don’t believe schools are super scoring across old/ new SAT so you will need to consider whether your scores are old or new SAT.
Keep in mind the schools have many different policies so it’s a good idea to start a spreadsheet, if you haven’t already, to note what each schools is willing to accept. Good luck, it will be okay! If you do have any ALL scores schools, it’s not like you can’t get it there still. It’s going to be okay.
Thank you for the reassuring and quick response. I think I’m going to email these schools, and let them know my situation and what they believe would be my best course of action. I read all over the place that it’s “immoral”, “lying”, and that some may even discard my app.
Read the school’s policy and do what it says. It is that simple. If they want them all (not that many do, but there are some) send them all. If they don’t, then don’t send them extra paperwork to deal with and incur the extra costs to send test scores they don’t want. Follow directions on the application checklist of each school. It is very clear. I really wouldn’t email them, you should be able to figure out what they want.
“Some” would be wrong. If the school does not require all scores, then it is fine not to send all scores. Do not email schools that do not require all scores explaining why you will not be submitting all scores; it is a waste of your time and theirs.
unless a university requires all scores, there is nothing wrong with omitting a score
However, many that do not require all scores use some form of super scoring, so sending all scores can only help at such schools.