850 Colleges Not Requiring the SAT

[Anonymous]

There are plenty of schools for B- kids with low SATs. Don't limit yourself to those who make the SAT optional. Some schools that require it don't weight it that much in the admissions decision. Schools try to look at the whole package. See the US News famous list of "A+ Colleges for B Students."

[Anonymous]

Just checked out the list PP spoke about and posted below. There are good schools on this list too. There's never enough information for anybody looking fir schools that don't require A+ averages and much less than perfect SAT scores.

http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/rankings/national-universities/a-plus

[Anonymous]

These lists are great. This will give my son hope as he is a middle of the road student and there is still time to apply. Information is power!

[Anonymous]

A few things we learned going through this process recently:

- SAT optional means just that - it's optional but many (and probably still most) kids still submit them if it adds to their application.
- The schools like it because there is self selection in the submission of SAT scores, which increases their SAT averages for ranking purposes. So if you've scored low they really don't want your scores.
- Unless you are only applying to score optional schools, and are confident that the rest of your application is very strong, you probably still need to take the SATs

Score optional is a great option for kids whose overall application, including grades, extra currics, recs, are very strong but who may not do well on standardized tests. I don't think it means that kids with overall weak applications will have a better shot at good colleges.

About 1/2 the schools my DC applied to were score optional. DC did not do well on SATs but did do well on the ACTs so submitted the scores to schools. In this case it was an asset because it balanced out weaker grades (due to LDs). The plus of score optional is that if it's not an asset you don't have to submit them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A few things we learned going through this process recently:

- SAT optional means just that - it's optional but many (and probably still most) kids still submit them if it adds to their application.
- The schools like it because there is self selection in the submission of SAT scores, which increases their SAT averages for ranking purposes. So if you've scored low they really don't want your scores.
- Unless you are only applying to score optional schools, and are confident that the rest of your application is very strong, you probably still need to take the SATs

Score optional is a great option for kids whose overall application, including grades, extra currics, recs, are very strong but who may not do well on standardized tests. I don't think it means that kids with overall weak applications will have a better shot at good colleges.

About 1/2 the schools my DC applied to were score optional. DC did not do well on SATs but did do well on the ACTs so submitted the scores to schools. In this case it was an asset because it balanced out weaker grades (due to LDs). The plus of score optional is that if it's not an asset you don't have to submit them.

10:45 here. I don't think the suggestion that if you have an overall weak application, you still have a strong shot at American University because SAT is optional. Most of DCUM are pretty savvy about this. I agree, though, that score optional is great if you don't do well on standardized tests but otherwise have a strong application.

[Anonymous]

I think most schools are test optional, not just SAT optional, correct?
Interesting point on the rankings, 1o:48.

It is important that there are so many schools, enough for anyone who wants a good education, even with low or so-so SAT/ACT scores.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think most schools are test optional, not just SAT optional, correct?
Interesting point on the rankings, 1o:48.

It is important that there are so many schools, enough for anyone who wants a good education, even with low or so-so SAT/ACT scores.

+1