Question about Test Optional

[Anonymous]

We are down to the final 2 decisions (both are reach schools). So far, my daughter has been admitted to all of her targets, safeties and low reach. For all of these schools (where she received a decision), she submitted her test scores. However, I just learned that my daughter went test optional for the two remaining schools. Her scores are 10 points lower than the 25% score (per CDS). I know that the traditional wisdom is to not submit scores if you are below either the mid 50% range (or in some cases the average). However, I wonder if it is wise to not submit scores when you score is super close to that mid 50% range? I read somewhere that schools will immediately assume that your score is 200 points lower than it actually is if you go test optional. So if the school has a md 50% range of 1490-1540 and your child's score is 1480, I would still think that you would want to submit your score. I'm just not a fan of test optional and I wish my daughter would have discussed it with me. Anyone have any thoughts?

[Anonymous]

It doesn't matter. For the sake of your daughter, please get excited about her choices instead of dwelling on the what ifs.

[Anonymous]

This year the consensus is to submit above a 25% instead of 50%, especially if URM or within the context of your school (say a school average is 31/1400 and you get a 33/1450 plus, then yes submit).

[Anonymous]

If not URM should have submitted the 1480, but someone has to win the lottery.

[Anonymous]

^^^By school above I mean high school that you are coming from, not the college average.

[Anonymous]

It’s too late to dwell on this. Get excited about the options on the table and if one of the reaches comes in then consider it manna from heaven.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It doesn't matter. For the sake of your daughter, please get excited about her choices instead of dwelling on the what ifs.

Good advice

[Anonymous]

OP here- she's definitely excited (and most likely going to commit to the one low reach she has been admitted to). However, just a little frustrated because like all of us, we want our kids to try their best (even if they get denied). Also, she is not URM. I know that it's too late - but because I didn't learn about it until this morning, it's just on top of my mind.

[Anonymous]

Our college counselor told my DC to submit their test score everywhere, even when the score was at or right below the 25%. They believed TO is not test optional if you are a high achieving kid in DC. Score was a 1470.

[Anonymous]

Rice AO went on record to say they will not infer a low test score if applying TO and coming from a private high school. They just ignore that data point.

WashU said they don’t assume a low score were one is not submitted.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here- she's definitely excited (and most likely going to commit to the one low reach she has been admitted to). However, just a little frustrated because like all of us, we want our kids to try their best (even if they get denied). Also, she is not URM. I know that it's too late - but because I didn't learn about it until this morning, it's just on top of my mind.

But it's done. Dwelling on it and second guessing won't do anything but cause you and your child heartache. Move on.

[Anonymous]

Give your daughter some credit for her choice, and agree to stop second guessing. You cannot control this; even if she had submitted a score. It's up to the universe.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here- she's definitely excited (and most likely going to commit to the one low reach she has been admitted to). However, just a little frustrated because like all of us, we want our kids to try their best (even if they get denied). Also, she is not URM. I know that it's too late - but because I didn't learn about it until this morning, it's just on top of my mind.

She did try her best, even if she made a decision different from what you would have done. She'll do that again in the future. Second guessing her accomplishes nothing.

[Anonymous]

Agreed with the thought that there is no point in dwelling on it now but understand the curiosity to play what if.

I'd have submitted 1480 at every school, even if it's under 25%. The select colleges where 1480 is under 25% are going to be hard admits no matter what. 1480 is a heck of a good score and I don't see it being the final elimination point.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here- she's definitely excited (and most likely going to commit to the one low reach she has been admitted to). However, just a little frustrated because like all of us, we want our kids to try their best (even if they get denied). Also, she is not URM. I know that it's too late - but because I didn't learn about it until this morning, it's just on top of my mind.

But it's done. Dwelling on it and second guessing won't do anything but cause you and your child heartache. Move on.

I will move on - I need today to dwell on it and my kid does not know how I am feeling. I just noticed today when I went into her portal. But of course I am not going to make my kid feel bad about it or anything.