<p>I've taken the SAT 2 times and got super low scores (1880). I'm taking the SAT for the last time in Jan 2015. I'm getting 2100+ in practice tests and confident that I can pull it off on the real test. However, many colleges say that ALL test scores must reach them by the application deadline. The Jan SAT scores may reach them on time but there is NO GUARANTEE!</p>
<p>Suppose I send them my complete application before the deadline and but the Jan 2015 SAT scores do not reach them on time. What will happen? Will they out right reject my application? Or will they put my application on hold until they receive my SAT scores? I'll let them know that I'm taking the Jan SAT in my application.</p>
<p>All the ivy leagues where I'm applying clearly state that they ACCEPT Jan 2015 SAT scores. It is the "small-ivies" which are ambiguous about this. </p>
<p>As all the admission offices are closed for holidays, I cannot contact any of the colleges.</p>
<p>@GMTplus7 I’m an international student who requires A LOT of financial aid. NO college in the US will consider me a “strong” candidate with the current scores. Even at colleges where the middle 50% SAT is like 1700-1800, my 1880 is NOT competent just because of the fact that I’m an international with a lot of financial need.</p>
<p>Colleges to which I’m referring who say that Jan test scores may arrive on time but there is NO GUARANTEE are:
Colgate University, Hamilton College, Middlebury College</p>
<p>I really want to apply to these colleges because they provide very generous financial aid to internationals. </p>
<p>Anyway,
Do you know what are the consequences of the SAT scores not reaching them on time? Instant rejection vs applicant put on hold?</p>
<p>For early action, several schools planned on deferring my admission. One school (Drexel) mysteriously stuck me back into their EA 1 pool and accepted me. The other (Butler) accepted me after I showed up at their admissions office for a tour and inquired about my application.</p>
<p>Bottom line? Call the office of admissions, or better yet–contact your admissions counselor directly. Do it quickly, the sooner the better.</p>
<p>@4evrastudent What do you mean? Should I first apply and then contact them and request them to consider my late SAT scores? Because of course right now they’ll say the same thing “The scores may reach us on time but we do not guarantee”</p>
<p>Of course sometimes scores come in late – as long as you took the test that was acceptable to the college, you’ll be fine. Do you think they will just shred/delete your application? They are EXCITED that you applied and hope to admit you – that’s their job.</p>
<p>If you are high need at Middlebury, 2100 may not cut it. You need to push for high 2250+ as an international student applying to a very prestigious LAC.</p>
<p>@T26E4 Well, Middlebury says “the last acceptable testing date is December for both the SAT and the ACT”. So, if I take the Jan test, what will they do?</p>
<p>Have u considered that what u are pursuing is simply not feasible?</p>
<p>U are applying from india, the 2nd most frequent nationality after china for foreign students studying in the US. Your application will be measured against a large number of those of your countrymen in a competition for a limited number of slots for indian students. The int’l students w middling scores are either fullpay or they have some awesome talent to bring to the table.</p>
<p>Hamilton College emailed me saying that my application will simply be rejected if my scores doesn’t reach them. Quite disheartening, I really loved Hamilton.</p>
<p>Why not simply send your PRESENT SCORES? Having a lower chance of admission is better than having a zero chance of admission. Once your application package is counted as being received on time, you at least have a foot in the door to send your January test scores.</p>
<p>It’s already 30-Dec. Order the score to be sent w the expedited option (an additional $30). HURRY. </p>
<p>@GMTplus7 I think my 1880 SAT Score has a close to 0 chance of getting accepted. If I send my Jan scores as well., they’ll know that in my previous sitting I got such a horrible score and hence I am not smart. So, even if I score well in the Jan SAT, I will definitely be rejected because of my older SAT score.</p>
<p>However, if I only send my Jan scores then either they’ll flat out reject me because of incomplete application or if the scores reach on time they’ll consider it and NOT see the previous score.</p>
<p>The good thing about NOT sending the present scores is that I’ll be able to use score choice and hide the previous score. This is the only reason why I’m doing this.</p>
<p>I agree with GMTplus7. As far as I know, if colleges don’t have a complete file by the deadline, they won’t consider it at all. </p>
<p>If you believe that an 1880 score means a person is “not smart” and a 2100 means they are, how would you classify a person who scored both? I interpret SAT/ACT scores as an indication of the degree of college preparedness rather than a test of innate intelligence, so I don’t think colleges will hold an 1880 against you if you follow it up with a 2100 or whatever score IS within their accepted limits. If you score better in January send those scores too, but send your current scores so you meet the deadline.</p>
<p>^ I agree with above. You still have a chance with your current scores, which are not outside the realm of possibility for those schools. And follow up with the better ones as soon as available. </p>
<p>For colleges that say the Jan test may arrive in time but there is no guarantee, your scores will be timely if (a) you designate the college in your test application as one to automatically receive scores upon release; and (b) nothing happens that results in College Board’s withholding your scores pending investigation beyond the deignated rlease date for SAT score. You can designate four colleges in your test applicatioon to reveive scores upon release for no extra charge and you can designate others in your test application for a fee per sending to each college. In the usual case that will result in the fastest delivery of scores, with many colleges actually receiving your scores up to two business days before you even get them online and that will also mean those colleges that have the no guarantee language will consider the scores. However, the caveat is that your scores need to be released as scheduled and the potential they may not be is what those colleges are mainly referring to when they say they may not arrive on time. If a cheating issue arises (and if you follow reports you would know that can sometimes affect an entire country even if you did nothing wrong), your scores may not be released by CB in time. Moreover, you don’t need any real cheating issue for that to occur. If, in fact, your belief that you can do much better, e,g., increase by 400 points, comes to fruition, you could trigger an investigative hold on your test that CB often does when the test-taker scores way higher than on any previous test, and in that situation you could face a four to five week delay in the release of your scores, resulting in the scores being too late to be considered. </p>
<p>@drusba Thank you for your detailed and well-informed response. I plan to designate all the colleges blindly. So, the scores must reach them even before they are available online IF a delay does not take place.</p>
<p>I have only heard Korean test taker’s scores get delayed because of investigations. I have never heard the scores of Indians get delayed. Hence it is highly unlikely that my scores are delayed.</p>
<p>Furthermore, I don’t think my scores will increase by 400 points. The most it may increase is by 250-300</p>
<p>@austinmshauri I don’t think the SAT measures innate smartness. I believe I have a “growth mindset”. That’s why I am even studying to raise my scores. But who knows what the adcoms think? Of course looking at a SAT score of 2100 in one sitting will look better than a 1880 in then first and a 2100 in the second. </p>