Test-optional schools

For test-optional schools, does sending SAT and subject test scores matter at all? I want to send them but I don’t want to risk hurting my application. If some applicants send scores and some don’t, are applicants with scores and applicants without scores compared amongst themselves?
My current scores are SAT 1510 (710 + 800) with 7/6/7 essay (retaking this August for higher EBRW), 800 Math 2, 790 Physics, 780 Chemistry, and 33 ACT (35E 34M 28R 35S with 10 on writing). I’m applying to Duke (which just turned test-optional) and considering Bowdoin and UChicago.

I’d send test optional schools a 1510 SAT. I only specifically know about UChicago’s policy and it cannot be read “we don’t consider your test scores.” You need to look at your application and if your application is exceptional in every way (top of the class in every catagory, plus you came to the US as an 11 year old by yourself and started 8th grade 3 weeks in the country without speaking English and ended up being the greatest student in your HS’s history, but you feel your test score doesn’t really reflect the rest of your exceptional application) you can choose to not send it and have your application stand without a score.

With all of that being said a 1510 is a d*&# good SAT score, you should include it.

Optional means exactly that. Your score could only help your application, so send it.

For a student with a strong application but weak scores, the decision not to share those scores can be a wise one. In your case, not the case!

The prevailing wisdom is to send standardized test scores if they are at or above the average for that particular college. Having strong standardized test scores will only help your application.

Agree with posters who said you should send your strong scores. Also, Duke is not test optional, they require SAT or ACT, but do not require the writing portion of either (that was what they changed).

@Mwfan1921 Ah okay, I misread that part. Thanks!

Yes, Duke requires either SAT or ACT, now recommends but does not require the writing section of either, recommends but does not require subject tests if you submit SAT, and now allows you to self-report in youir application all the test scores you want to rely on and you need not send offical scorers until after you have accepted an offer of admission. If applying to Duke, you should provide all your scores.

UChicago just went test optional this year and you should read carefully what it says because it strongly suggests it would be better for you to submit scores. Like Duke, you can now self-report scores in the application and need not send offical scores until after you accept an offer of admission.

Bowdoin has been test optional for decades and it admits a large number of applicants who do not submit test scores but in your case, you should definitely submit your scores, and, like Duke and UChicago, you can now self-report test scores in the application and thus do not need to send offical scores until after you are admitted.