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My son has decided to make an ED application to a school with a Nov. 15 deadline. He is retaking SAT Is tomorrow, and is retaking writing and a Math SAT II on Nov. 2.

His GC told him yesterday to go ahead and release a very low writing score (held on score choice) from last spring to make sure that his file is complete by Nov. 15--this school requires the writing test. She says that it would be better for his file to be complete as of that date so that they will begin reviewing his application, even if it means seeing the awful writing score. When his writing retake score comes in to them, she thinks they will simply say "Oh, look how much it improved."

My feeling is that this is not smart...that if he rushes his Nov. 2 scores to the school (they should be available on the 14th, for a fee, if past patterns hold) so that they are there within three or four days of the application deadline, that this is better than having them see an absurdly low writing score which will undoubtedly be much higher on the retake.

Anyone have any quick thoughts on this?

By Dave Berry on Friday, October 11, 2002 - 09:25 pm: Edit

I agree with you, Cog. Why give the college any reason to dump your son? The November 2 rush job will be fine. Chances are that they won't even get to your son's folder until at least a few days after deadline, maybe more. Even Michelle Hernandez, in her book, says not to waste overnight postage just to make a strict deadline, even for applications. So, IMO, don't reveal that low Writing score and get your boy to do some prep for his retake. Good luck, Cog.

By sgandhi on Friday, October 11, 2002 - 09:27 pm: Edit

If a person takes the November administration of the SAT, the scores should (emphasisis on "should") reach the college in a timely manner through a regular score report (not a rush report). Therefore, in my opinion, you do not have to rush the scores to the college. With respect to the GC's comment on the test scores, it will not matter in the end. If the college sees two scores, one good and one bad, the college will only take the good score (or so they say). Therefore, it probably (emphasis on "probably") would not hurt your son to release the low score. However, it probably will not help your son either.
The final word: Send the scores from the November SAT administration only.

By Cogitating on Saturday, October 12, 2002 - 09:40 am: Edit

Thanks, Dave and sgandhi. I had a feeling that my instincts on this were correct.

If I'd known a month ago that this was the GC's inclination, I would have had him switch and take the IIs today and do SAT I retake in Nov, when there was time to make that change.

As planned, we'll hold that first writing score, as if he'd never taken it at all!

By monica on Saturday, October 12, 2002 - 05:22 pm: Edit

rush reports only rush the result to you, not the school itself, is what the stanford adcom told me.