Does Test Optional Really Mean Test Optional
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Anonymous
“I was told…” What kind of nonsense is this? By whom? When? I hate when posters post this crap. |
Anonymous
| DD24 took the ACT but the majority of schools she was looking at had higher ranges for the ACT so she went test optional. She has received offers from seven schools with great merit has also been accepted into three honors colleges. A mix a very competitive state schools and smaller private schools. We are very happy with her results from test optional. |
Anonymous
Oh I do think so. I know of at least regular ole unhooked public hs kids who were admitted to HYP without scores. They’re amazing students with high rigor and high GPAs to match. |
Anonymous
| My DD is NOT a good test taker. She prepped for the ACT and got a (what would be considered on DCUM “holy shit she’s going to be slinging burgers for the rest of her life”) 28 and she submitted it to all schools because “I’m damn proud of that score!” She got the top merit award at her first choice target school (ranked 60th) even with that score, and almost 10k at her safety (a cheaper school to begin with). So I guess it depends on the school. |
Anonymous
my regular old white kid got into one of these top schools TO. She prepped a bit, and after several sittings only scored in mid 1300s so decided to bag it - ECs essays and recs were very good - nothing national, just regular old white kid stuff, but told a cohesive story that made sense for the college and her field of interest. Tell a good story is my advice for all, whether or not u submit. And although everyone says rich/private school kids have to submit, it’s expected - this is categorically false and a fallacy created by elites - no adcom has ever said this is a thing. If it’s TO, and they message that consistently, then it’s TO for all |
Anonymous
💯 |
Anonymous
Haha yes, regardless of what you think. Yale, Vanderbilt, and Northwestern so far this year from my kids’ school. |
Anonymous
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My kid went TO this year. 4.0 uw, top rigor, strong ECs/leadership. Rejected from Ivy ED. Accepted with top merit at three schools EA (top 30 SLAC, two publics OOS). Waiting for decisions from five others (one top 25, three top 20 SLACs, one OOS public safety).
I suspect a really strong test score might have moved the kid from rejection to deferral at the Ivy (based on what I know about an admitted classmate), but who knows. And not focusing on the test was the definitely the right decision for this kid, so no regrets. |
Anonymous
Our private has been successful this EA/ED cycle with TO for white or Asian unhooked students at: Vanderbilt Wake Cornell Wash U Tulane UofChicago I expect USC will join this list soon. |
Anonymous
Where do you find this information? |
Anonymous
| Better to have a score if you can wing it |
Anonymous
Shocked by northwestern and Yale. URM? |
Anonymous
Np. I have a senior. Everyone talks. |
Anonymous
This is such a valuable piece of advice that most people miss. They really think it’s just about scores and a list of activities. The gpa (and scores if they’re submitted) will get you through the first door. It’s the kids who can weave together a story across their essays about their values and how they come through in their extra curriculars that will make it through the next rounds. |
Anonymous
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This has been complicated this year for my mid 1400s DC (4.0 uw at rigorous school, multiple APs with 5s etc). Mainly applying to schools in 30-100 range, but wanting merit. It was pretty easy to tell for admission purposes whether or not to submit, but seeking merit makes it much trickier. There were many schools where they were over the 50% but not over the 75% - so it seemed fine to submit for admission, but questionable for merit. So far only heard from targets/safeties, so I can't give a full report.
I would have your DC take it and then decide on a school by school basis whether or not to submit. |