Test Optional Opinions

I am applying early decision and I’m not sure what to do regarding my test scores. I’ve heard that people who apply test optional usually get in spring semester. Is that true? My test scores do not reflect me as a student. I go to a very competitive high school, I’ve taken honors French for three years and three AP classes. I have a weighted GPA of 3.72 (as of right now) my Reading SAT score is a 600 and my math is 30 points below the 25th percentile which is a 560 (I am a 530). I have visited the school three times including an overnight visit. I am extremely involved and have really good grades. Would sending my test scores hinder me or help me, if I want to get in the Fall 2016 semester. Thanks

I applied test optional last year when it was first year the first year they were doing it. My SAT score were around the same but a little lower. I did get in for the Spring Semester but I don’t exactly know if that is because I applied test optional or I was just on the back of the list or something. I know a few kids who sent their test scores, which were pretty high, but still got for spring and not fall and the two other test optional kids I know, one got in for spring like me and the other got in for the fall.

I really can’t say if you should go test optional or not but I would recommend taking the SAT or ACT one more time in November and see what you get. Do some research and find out what the schools average and compare your scores to that and then make the decision.

By the way, getting in for the spring isn’t so bad. I was upset about it at first but I figured out there are some benefits. Get to spend a little more time with friends before I leave, got a part time job and saved up some money so I have some cash, and I’m taking some really easy classes online from my local community college so the credits transfer so I’m not a semester behind and I saved a little money. But if you get into the spring semester, and I’m not saying you defiantly will, I would recommend not doing the Washington mentorship program. A few people I talked to that did it the program said it wasn’t worth all the money.

Spring admits do not count in the “rankings.”

But test optional kids don’t report test scores either …

What is your unweighted GPA and class rank?

Okay thanks so much. That is very helpful to know because I do know American becoming test optional is fairly recent so the policies for someone who applied test optional the first year it was allowed may be a bit different than this year. Also, if you do not mind me asking did you apply early decision or regular decision?

My school does not do class rankings and my unweighted GPA is a 3.56. My first marking period is almost over so it may change as well because I did very well this last marking period. So, I am expecting both my weighted and unweighted GPA’s to go up.

I applied regular decision.So you might have a very goo chance with early decision,