<p>I have a bit of a dilemma…I know that Bowdoin does not require students to submit ACT/SAT scores. My ACT composite score is 29 (english-32, math-31, reading-26, science-25, writing-29). Still debating if my scores are good enough to send or should I not chance it and apply without submitting my ACT. Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated. THANKS!</p>
<p>If you don’t send them, there’s no assumption “Gee, maybe nickoftime did really well on his standardized tests and just decided not to send them.” Your scores fall in the middle 50% – but just barely. In other words, about 25% of those students who are admitted – and choose to send scores – send scores that are lower than yours. Given that “test scores submitters” are a self-selected pool, I don’t think that’s a bad place to be.</p>
<p>I think (without having any appreciation for what else makes up your file or, for that matter, without having any experience as a Bowdoin AdCom) I would lean toward sending them. Yes, the scores peg you at a certain place…but that place you’re staking a claim to is clearly in the range that’s acceptable. It removes any possibility that you’re at some other, lower rung. (And, like I said, they will know you’re not further up the standardized testing ladder.) The big question, however, is what else do you have to show them? If you’ve got a 4.0 and great teacher recommendations, you’ve provided them with an excellent data set that they should have confidence in and I might just flush the testing. If you’ve got lots of ECs that would be attractive or other hooks and a more marginal GPA, you might want to go ahead and show them another set of data that helps show you can hang in there. It’s holistic, so it’s really tough to view it in the vacuum you’ve offered up.</p>
<p>I expect close to 100% of the people in the top 25% send their scores. As the scores get lower and lower, I expect the percentage decreases. Of those that have a choice to make – and get offers of admission – you’re in the middle of the pack. Ponder that as you consider the rest of the package that the AdComs will be rifling through.</p>
<p>Thanks, D’yer…your info was insightful and helpful. I do have some other things going for me (strong letters of rec, 5 AP classes this year, working on some college projects with a prof). I will give it some thought (taking your info into account) before making up my mind. I have a couple of days before I submit everything. Thanks again!</p>