common data set info on test scores

[Anonymous]

For schools that are test optional, how much should one consider how much the school "values" scores according to their common data set information? For example, TO schools say that scores are "considered" others say that they are "important" or even "very important". DC was considering not submitting scores to a couple of schools b/c they are around the 25th percentile (these are schools where only about half of students submit) but the common data info says that scores are important/very important. Maybe they should submit them?

[Anonymous]

I say, submit if engineering / STEM major.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I say, submit if engineering / STEM major.

Thanks- does that include health sciences (e.g., things like human biology, kinesiology)?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I say, submit if engineering / STEM major.

Thanks- does that include health sciences (e.g., things like human biology, kinesiology)?

if it is at/above the 25th percentile, I would still submit. There are 25% who got accepted below your score. Plus, maybe having AP scores of 4 or 5 will help as well. Once your test scores, GPA are within range, it will be up to the essays and heavily subjective based on who is reading. Throw a lot of darts and hopefully few sticks! Just went through the application process and its so random. 1 more child to go who is rising Jr.

[Anonymous]

The most relevant scores will be from 2019 and from 2023-24 (available in late fall) due to pandemic and TO issues.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The most relevant scores will be from 2019 and from 2023-24 (available in late fall) due to pandemic and TO issues.

But the general rule of thumb back then was only to submit if you were at or above 75% (assuming unhooked)...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The most relevant scores will be from 2019 and from 2023-24 (available in late fall) due to pandemic and TO issues.

But the general rule of thumb back then was only to submit if you were at or above 75% (assuming unhooked)...

I am not quite understanding this. 75% was accepted with lesser score. I would roll the dice and submit! Got a good chance! you got 20 darts (common app max) to try.

[Anonymous]

Probably worth determining whether each school issued new statement for this year, as some moved from pure TO to test preferred or otherwise indicated that they will move to test required in the future.

That could explain why the school says test scores are important now, while in prior years only 50% of those who got in submitted scores.

[Anonymous]

Is he in the 25% based on the older 2019 /2020 data? If only 50% are submitting today vs 100% back then, the range would typically creep up.

[Anonymous]

They are 25th percentile based on the most recent data...it's around the 50th percentile for the 2019/2020 data. Our older DC applied based on that data and was told for an unhooked UMC kid to aim for the 75th percentile.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They are 25th percentile based on the most recent data...it's around the 50th percentile for the 2019/2020 data. Our older DC applied based on that data and was told for an unhooked UMC kid to aim for the 75th percentile.

NP. The conventional wisdom has changed each year for the past three years. The "right" choice - to submit or not - will vary by school. Some top schools now require scores, so no choice there. At schools that are still test optional, often it is better to submit a score in range than for the school to assume it was too low. People should also check the % submitting scores in whatever the most recent data is that they can find.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Probably worth determining whether each school issued new statement for this year, as some moved from pure TO to test preferred or otherwise indicated that they will move to test required in the future.

That could explain why the school says test scores are important now, while in prior years only 50% of those who got in submitted scores.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They are 25th percentile based on the most recent data...it's around the 50th percentile for the 2019/2020 data. Our older DC applied based on that data and was told for an unhooked UMC kid to aim for the 75th percentile.

Unlike others, I actually recommend not submitting. DC recently had an AO tell him to not submit a very similar score in the 25th percentile currently but 50th percentile pre-COVID and the AO just point blank said it is not worth the risk when the only scores submitted are much higher now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They are 25th percentile based on the most recent data...it's around the 50th percentile for the 2019/2020 data. Our older DC applied based on that data and was told for an unhooked UMC kid to aim for the 75th percentile.

Unlike others, I actually recommend not submitting. DC recently had an AO tell him to not submit a very similar score in the 25th percentile currently but 50th percentile pre-COVID and the AO just point blank said it is not worth the risk when the only scores submitted are much higher now.

Can you say more about the college (or at least what % of first year kids submit)?

[Anonymous]

Interesting tidbit, at a BC info session, they said they received more test scores last year than in prior test optional years. I would expect similar at other T50 schools and not submitting is going to be seen as more of negative this year than past years