this discussion for those applicants who are planning to get in at U of R class of 2022
Anyone going to MVP?
Curious if others are including SAT essay or not as listed as optional. “We will measure and publish the success of the new SAT in predicting success at Rochester starting in 2018. Rochester will not require students to take the SAT essay when it becomes optional, but will urge those applicants who take the essay to submit those results.”
My daughter just got back her October SAT and came up 20 points (10 English and 10 Math) but did worse on essay. She is thinking to submit her other SAT without Essay but I’m leaning to just send them both and they can see it in context with her application essays. Most of her grades have to do with hard work and extra effort that timed tests don’t really account for think showing it might be better.
Will be checking here often as she just had her interview and Rochester is back at the top of her list 
I agree. Timed tests are essentially tailored to the best and fast test takers. @skateguy50 Depends on the essay score. If it is exceptionally well, your daughter should submit it. Otherwise, don’t submit it.
I think she though when taking the test they could be split and basically gave up partway through and didn’t finish all the essay parts. She took the essay once her junior year and got 6/6/6 and wasn’t happy with it and had around 1300 SAT but didn’t study or really prep for that one and paid for the detail review to know what to study. She did SAT again without Essay and got 1400 with some review and studying what she had trouble with. That is the one I think she should submit, her most recent was 1420 but paired with something like 4/5/4 essay. She wants her extra 20 point but the low essay doesn’t match her ability that the application essay will show. The other colleges she is applying too don’t want essay at all and Rochester is listed as recommend but not required. She had some colleges earlier on that required it but she didn’t like them as much after campus tours so took off list.
@skateguy50 I think she should submit the one with the highest combined score. If the essay is average, then it is fine. Timed essays are being less and less considered in national universities as this is not a good indicator of the student’s writing ability.
My decision was released!
I was also accepted to Rochester today!
^^Did you both apply RD? Or are these ED decisions??
This is RD. One of the students that I worked with this year was accepted today, as well.
How were you notified? Can those who have been accepted share their stats?
What the heck - is that normal, so early for RD to hear? Had you sent in your midyear grades? My daughter’s first semester just finished last week, counselor still sending midyear reports…
@skateguy50 Send both, the higher scores with lower essay and lower scores with higher essay, skip the middle, or send all scores. There’s something to be said for just owning it, all of it. I say this because there is always variation in the essay prompts given. I would think colleges know this. A prompt that speaks to a student is likely to gain more passion and get a higher score. A topic that is a struggle for the student to connect to might result in a lower score. Also, tests are somewhat dependent on the day when the scores are that close. I would bet that all her scores are within the projected range of what they could be on a given day. The initial jump is likely attributed to study, but the 20 point spread is negligible, really.
My son was just accepted to Univ. of Rochester, RD yesterday as well… much earlier than we expected.
@DHC Had your son sent in midyear grades?
Taverngirl, my son got an email saying his status was updated; he logged in and the acceptance was there. Nicely worded too, actually mentioned what he wrote in his essay, etc.
My D was also accepted yesterday. Recipient of the Frederick Douglass and Susan B Anthony Award. Received a waiver to apply. Just waiting on financial aid now.
My daughter received the email as well to look in portal and was grated her RD admission yesterday! Loved the personalized admission letter talking about her essay and info she sent in!
@luckybooth did you get the scholarship notification with your admit letter? We are hoping to get some merit…
To add for those asking…our school will send in mid year grades but our quarter just ended so not sure if sent yet.
My daughter has 1540 SAT, 4.3 weighted GPA, 3.9 unweighted, many APs and research/ leadership opportunities
Hi @mom4bear she received the Frederick Douglass and Susan B Anthony Award last year as a high school junior.