Test Optional

Curious as to how others who were able to take a test are making the decision whether or not to submit their SAT/ACT scores. There seems to be two schools of thought. Submit if above the median score (1320/30) vs submit if above the 25th percentile (1240/27). Each of those viewpoints are further supplemented by a belief that scores, on average, will be down 60/3 points this year.

IMO Submit only at the median or above of admitted students, not enrolled.

Curious as to your source that scores will be down this year? I have heard from several schools that scores are up, because students are only submitting relatively high scores (and stronger students tend to test earlier, so got tests in pre-pandemic).

Collegevine is the source

However, they are referring to the overall scores of test takers, not those that choose to submit.

I haven’t seen Clemson publish admitted student scores only enrolled. Do you have a source for admitted?

Sometimes the school makes a press release right around admissions decision day, sometimes the student newspaper publishes it, sometimes you can’t find it…in which case use enrolled numbers.

My D21 is going test optional on all of her applications. She did take the test twice last year - got the same low-ish score (or maybe a point difference?) each time - and was planning to take the July 2020 test. In fact, we’d spent a significant amount on one-on-one tutoring. Then, they canceled the test and we couldn’t get a reschedule at a nearby location. So, being frustrated, we threw in the towel on testing. She’s a pretty “average” student, so we’re hopeful that her better GPA and essays will be enough to get her admitted to a school she likes and would be happy to attend. We shall see.

We do have one deferral so far from a rolling-admissions school, asking for 7th semester grades before making their decision. I suspect she’ll get more of these deferrals for 7th semester grades. Remaining hopeful for some good news, however.