What's the point of formally sending test scores.....

<p>if the common app already asks you to list them? Is it for a validity check?</p>

<p>Most likely. Some colleges do not require you to officially send them if they appear in your transcript. Others (most for that matter) require official results. Some people lie… lol.</p>

<p>Why wouldn’t they require it. I could say I had a 2400 SAT, and just because I said so it makes it true unless they ask for the official score report. See where that could be a problem?</p>

<p>Because sometimes, it can be lost from CB. When you list them, they can read your application right away. It’s my guess.</p>

<p>Also, if the school allowed score choice but you’ve taken SAT, SAT II, and ACT, and you want the college to only see your SAT, do you still have to list all three test scores? (if so, then I guess it would make sense, seeing it’s one application for many schools with different policies)</p>

<p>Different schools have different policies, check the school website. I know for Penn, you have to send all SAT scores and ACT. For others you just have to send SAT scores without ACT. You can make a different version of your common app for specific school, i.e. you don’t have to use one application for all.</p>

<p><a href=“if%20so,%20then%20I%20guess%20it%20would%20make%20sense,%20seeing%20it’s%20one%20application%20for%20many%20schools%20with%20different%20policies”>quote</a>

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<p>No, once you submit the CA to one school, you can make different versions and change test score reporting, essay, etc.</p>

<p>Really? Thanks!</p>

<p>Here’s how to make an alternate version of the CA:</p>

<p><a href=“https://www.commonapp.org/commonapp/docs/alternateversiontechnologyfaq.pdf[/url]”>https://www.commonapp.org/commonapp/docs/alternateversiontechnologyfaq.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>The CA gives a ‘warning’ that a single essay should be used for all schools. It’s totally a personal decision, but my reasons for ignoring their warning, which is never enforced in any way:</p>

<p>The purpose of the CA is to facilitate the application process for the colleges and the student, not to impose their own rules. I have never seen a college that states that your main CA essay must be the same as for every other school you apply to, they don’t care.</p>

<p>There is no consistency in supplemental essays from different schools. If there were, it would be easier to stick to a single CA main essay, but this range in supplementals makes changing the main essay reasonable/necessary.</p>

<p>Same reason they want an official school transcript from your high school. Applicants lie or exaggerate. Resume padding is rampant. </p>

<p>Scores and grades are easily verifiable, and many schools want them verified.</p>

<p>Okay, just curious. Thanks!</p>

<p>Also sending them via the college board means more money for them. So I imagine they encourage schools to only accept official reports.</p>