Some seniors take longer to finalize their college list and wait until the fall to figure out where they will apply. But they may not realize how varied each college’s test requirements are and may be running out of time to take (or re-take) the correct tests in time for early deadlines.
Until 2019, Georgetown required students to submit 3 Subject Tests. Now they only recommend 3. University of Chicago just announced they are going test-optional this year. How do you know if your child should send scores to a test-optional school or not?
So many last-minute test requirement questions come up when we work with seniors in the fall.
I can attest to the harsh reality applicants might face if they do not submit the correct test requirements. When I was an admissions officer for Caltech, we needed to see that the student’s aptitude for math and science was high enough for them to succeed.
Last minute work with seniors
When we work with our seniors at Colledge, we proactively research test requirements for each school on their college lists. We advise some students not to send in their tests to a test-optional school. On the other hand, we sometimes push a student to re-take their ACT or SAT test one last time in the fall to improve their scores. Other times, we advise a student to let go, and to refocus their attention on their essay writing, their coursework and activities. We keep the student at the heart of our test advice, and create a strategy that works for them.
But test scores are still just one aspect of a student’s application. Many selective and highly selective colleges want to see more than just high scores. They want to see strong grades on the transcript and a rigorous academic curriculum. They want to see that students have involved themselves in meaningful activities outside of the classroom, developed their personal qualities like community leadership, honed their artistic talents, or refined their foreign language skills. They want to see strong teacher and counselor letters of recommendation, and many colleges are interested in students who have demonstrated interest in the college they apply to. But that’s another blog post ☺
Fun (or not so fun) Testing Facts:
- University of California requires the SAT or ACT with Writing, whereas Occidental College and Duke University only recommend taking the writing section.
- Although many colleges have eliminated their SAT Subject Test requirements, some are still hanging on: McGill University, Cornell University, Caltech and MIT, to name a few.
- Harvard recommends applicants take two SAT Subject Tests, but they don’t require them. U Penn also recommends Subject Tests, but does not require them.
- Bucknell University considers SAT Subject Tests in admissions, but does not require them.
- And although a growing number of colleges, including University of Chicago are now test-optional, the majority of colleges and universities in the US still require the SAT or ACT test for admission.
- There are zero colleges that require AP test scores, but many like to see the score on an application.
- What about super scoring, when colleges primarily consider the highest score from each test section? Georgetown super scores the SAT but not the ACT. Wellesley College does not super score either test. Stanford University requires students to submit all test scores. Colleges are all over the place when it comes to super scoring. But we can help you sort out these nuanced test requirement questions for all your child’s colleges.
To learn more about how we work with seniors on their last-minute test planning during senior year, click HERE for a free phone consultation.
And if your child is in 9th or 10th grade and would like to discuss how we work with younger students on their test planning for college admission, click HERE to discuss our Early Start Plan options.