<p>I'm looking to apply to a few test optional colleges this fall. If I'm in their middle 50% range, should I submit my scores?</p>
<p>I have a 29 composite ACT but a 31 superscore</p>
<p>Test-Optional Schools I'm applying to:
American University
Bryn Mawr College
Bates College
Dickinson College
Franklin and Marshall College
Mount Holyoke</p>
<p>Should I send my scores to a few? To none of them? To all of them? </p>
<p>What is your GPA?</p>
<p>3.85 unweighted, 4.0 weighted (93uw, 98w) @Lacoste </p>
<p>@Lacoste you can see all my stats here: <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1661999-chances-for-small-liberal-arts-schools.html#latest”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1661999-chances-for-small-liberal-arts-schools.html#latest</a></p>
<p>Personally, I think for an applicant such as yourself, it would be a red flag if you did NOT submit them. I think that “test-optional” is mainly useful for kids who go to schools where standardized testing is not the norm, where most kids haven’t even heard of them, and most kids don’t do test prep, etc. Admissions committees understand that kids from schools like that either may not have scores at all, or may have very low scores since it’s not emphasized at their school at all. If you come from a community where taking SAT/ACT is the norm, the AdCom is going to know that, and wonder why you haven’t submitted scores. (This is just my opinion, formed by having been through the admissions process once recently with my child and done a lot of research. it may not be true at every school.)</p>
<p>Think of it this way: admissions is looking for applicants who stand out. Assuming your scores and GPA are in the range of the school’s admitted students (and therefore not outstanding), they are then looking for more about YOU. You don’t want that thing to be “weird that she didn’t submit test scores, what’s up with that I wonder”? You want it to be something positive.</p>
<p>My S submitted the same exact ACT scores, along with a 3.7UW, 4.1W. He applied to schools that are similar to those on your list and was accepted to six of the seven and was wait listed at the last, which was a reach. If your scores are in the middle 50% there’s no reason not to send them. They are consistent with your GPA and confirm you can do the work. The superscore definitely helps – do any of the schools in question superscore?</p>
<p>Definitely send your scores. They are good scores and will more likely help than hurt. Some test optional schools require test scores for consideration for academic scholarships.</p>
<p>I agree with others on the thread. If your scores are above the 25th percentile for the school you are applying to, submit. </p>
<p>I agree. 29 is a good score - as the above posters have said, submit if you are above 25% percentile.</p>
<p>Thank you guys! I was just a bit more hesitant about Bates because their middle 50% was higher. The only school I know that superscores my ACT is Kenyon off the top of my head. </p>
<p><a href=“http://mrhs.ucps.k12.nc.us/documents/CollegesThatSuperscoreACT.pdf”>http://mrhs.ucps.k12.nc.us/documents/CollegesThatSuperscoreACT.pdf</a></p>
<p>Send them in, because it may look suspicious otherwise</p>
<p>I don’t know what’s suspicious about not sending test scores to test optional schools. If they’re sent in they will consider them, if not then they look at the body of the application without that element. </p>
<p>Test-optional is something intended to give students a different route. Certainly your score will be a strength on your application and I would recommend submitting it, but many fantastic students simply happen to perform badly on tests, and it’s no wonder, considering the amount of pressure packed into those four hours. It’s not a “red flag” if you don’t submit it; plenty of applicants don’t and test-optional is designed to allow them to do so without compromising the quality of their application. Just think of your test scores as being a bonus on top of all the other great components of your application.</p>
<p>Friends recently visited Bates and an admissions officer indicated to them that she wouldn’t submit any test score under a 32. I think that’s a little high, but it’s an interesting bit of info.</p>
<p>So along the same lines… what if a student submits scores to the test optional schools (via official score report channels) but when prompted on the application supplements to said test optional schools (Bates for example) the student specifically instructs them not to consider any test scores? Will the adcoms still be able to see the scores so they won’t have to “guess” as to how the student tested? Technically, if the score is on the lower side for the school, the score shouldn’t count against the student since the student didn’t technically instruct them to consider it. I am just wondering if this would offer an advantage to students like the OP who have strong GPA and rigor but who have scores on the lower side of the median (for Bates and similar LAC). </p>
<p>Although you may be correct, it’s hard to unring a bell. I’d consider your scores submitted, regardless of what you put on the Common App. You’re now depending on bureaucracy to remove them, and that’s not necessarily a good thing.</p>
<p>Call Admissions and ask your question directly. They may be able to help.</p>
<p>No, if you instruct the school not to consider testing the application the admissions readers see has the scores redacted (at Bates, anyway).</p>