Wondering how to navigate the wild world of sending scores to colleges when you’re filling out the Common Application? Don’t worry; we’ve got you covered!
1. Self-Reported Scores for the Win! 📝
- First things first, check if your dream college accepts self-reported scores. If they do, it’s like a free pass to report what you got, and later, when you’re accepted, you send in the official scores from the College Board or ACT. Easy peasy, right? This is the no-sweat option!
- For those of you who do not want to risk it, head to www.collegeboard.org and order your scores to be sent to your university of choice.
2. Official Scores Required? No Problem! 📜
- If the college insists on official scores, just hop onto the College Board or ACT website. Pay them a visit, pay the fee, and have your scores sent straight to the college(s). Patience is key; it might take a few weeks, so don’t procrastinate. You don’t have to wait until you’ve submitted your application either.
3. Superscore Magic! 🌟
- Some schools are like score magicians and automatically pick the best scores from each section. So, even if you had a rough day in one section, they’ll give you a boost by cherry-picking your top scores.Colleges’ policies regarding super scoring (combining the highest section scores from different test dates) can vary widely, so it’s essential to check with individual schools to get the most accurate and up-to-date information. Keep in mind that admissions policies can change over time, so always verify with the specific institution. Here are a few examples of schools that historically did not super score:
- California Institute of Technology (Caltech): Caltech traditionally considered the highest scores from a single test date.
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT): MIT also looked at individual test dates and did not typically super score.
- United States Naval Academy: USNA typically considered the highest scores from a single test date for both the SAT and ACT.
- United States Military Academy (West Point): West Point typically considered the highest scores from a single test date for both the SAT and ACT.
- Georgetown University
Remember that admission policies can change, so it’s crucial to verify each college’s policy on super scoring, especially if you plan to apply to specific institutions. Check the official admissions websites or contact the admissions offices for the most accurate and current information.
4. AP/IB Scores: Report Later! 🎓
- Now, here’s the cool part: for AP/IB scores, you don’t need to send official reports to colleges right away. Nope, you save that for your final choice after you’ve been accepted. Just self-report them in your application for now.
- We suggest only reporting 4s and 5s if you are looking at highly selective institutions.
5. Test Optional Game Plan:
- Okay, so you’re going test-optional for some colleges but want to flaunt your AP/IB scores. Here’s the deal:
- Leave the “testing” section blank for SAT/ACT, but add IB and AP to the common app.
- Or in the “additional information” section, leave a note like this: “I’m going test-optional, but hey, I’ve got some fantastic AP (or IB) scores to share! I aced (insert subject and score).”
6. Test Scores Here, Test-Optional There: ⚖️
- You’re a mix-and-match applicant, applying with test scores to some colleges and going test-optional for others while still wanting to share AP/IB scores:
- Enter all your scores in the “testing” section.
- For colleges where you’re using test scores, you’re good to go.
- For test-optional schools, here’s the twist: temporarily switch the answer to the first question in the “testing” section to “no.” Then, when you’re done, switch it back to “yes.” This hides your scores for test-optional schools without deleting them.
So, there you have it, your guide to sending scores to colleges with a side of fun! 🎉 Remember, it might get a little tricky, but you’ve got this. Good luck on your college journey! 🎓🌟