UC Application Fall 2017 issue re SAT scores

State Forums
1

So I started working on my UC application today. When I got to the section to input my SAT and ACT scores, I ran into an issue with the SAT scores.
I took the NEW SAT in March and June. I took the SAT Reasoning test w/o essay because I was told that the UCs would only require the SAT Reasoning OR the ACT with writing.

The prompt would NOT allow me to enter my SAT scores without essay.
I went back and read the requirements on the main UC page. It does not say the SAT Reasoning test with essay.
So I emailed them and was told they DO NOT take SAT Reasoning without essay.
I am 100% confused. If this is true, I was given bad information and took the test twice w/o writing. I opted to do the writing part with my ACT test.
I plan on calling them in the morning to clear this up.
Anyone?

2

From the UC website:

Is a student who takes the ACT required to take the writing section?

Yes. Students applying to UC who take the ACT must take the writing test to meet the UC examination requirement even though the ACT organization calls the writing section “optional.”

Is a student who takes the new SAT required to the writing portion?

Yes. The essay portion of the new SAT exam is required by UC.

Also stated on the dates/deadline page of the UC Website in the highlighted Grey Box:
http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/how-to-apply/dates-deadlines/index.html

http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/freshman/requirements/examination-requirement/index.html
Not sure where you have been looking. I found the info in 3 places so far.

I think the confusion is the on the admission requirements it refers to the Old SAT as the SAT which automatically included the essay and then refers to the New SAT with essay.

3

Back when I took the new SAT in March and June, they was no information on the UC site stating the essay was required. I took a snapshot of it back then. Infact it’s still in the body of the application form … SAT Reasoning. Only today did the part in the grey appear. Even my high school counselor told me I could take the NEW SAT w/o writing as long as I did the ACT with writing … Which I did.
What a mess. Looks like I need to spend more money and take the SAT w/writing in Oct and Nov now. I still plan on calling them. Thanks for your info.

4

Not sure why your counselor recommended you take the SAT without essay since the essay it has been a requirement for the past 5-10 years now for the UC’s.

5

Boy, I phrased that horribly ^^^^. Just wanted to say the essay portion has been a UC requirement for many years. No reason a counselor would not know this information.

6

No worries. See my counselor checked with UC because the new SAT was offered w/o essay … And wanted to be sure what to tell her students. My Mom also did research to see if UC would require it ( as it costs more money to add the essay). At the time …back in. Jan of 2016, it was stated on the UC webpage that only Reasoning test was needed with no mention of essay …

7

I appreciate your help. I think what happened is they changed their minds sometime between Jan 2016 and today. Which is a drag for me and all the other students who were advised they could do the writing part on the ACT test. I am bummed because I got a score of 1420/1600 on the New SAT Reasoning test I took in Mar 2016 and now I can’t use it to apply to the UCs.

Good thing I didn’t wait til Oct or Nov to look at the application
I plan on calling them on Tues just to be sure …
Thanks again.

8

8-2-16 1022am. I just called and spoke with a representative of the UC Application process. Turns out that they DID I NOT post that for the new SAT the essay would be required for Fall 2017 application. I was told that they changed the policy after initial scores came in for the March and June tests. I shared with them that seems unfair that many of us students were advised it wasn’t needed; and now it is. At least I know now that my mom and were were not crazy or that we missed something.

The person apologized and suggested I do THREE THINGS:

  1. Go ahead and send in the SAT scores I have already.
  2. Take the SAT w/essay in October and send those scores.
  3. In the application, after you answer the 4 questions, there is a section to share anything further that was not covered in the essay questions. I was advised that this would be the chance to explain what happened and WHY I sent SAT scores without essay.

I am glad I got to the bottom of this … but my gosh, this is a pretty big goofup.
Good way to get more testing money I guess.