BTDT Test Optional...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:OP, what schools is your kid applying to. I think if you share that, you may get more specific information out of folks. I have thoughts (and a freshman in college from this area), but it really depends on what schools your kid is applying to.

Tulane - last year they admitted 45% of their class TO. Their middle 50 range is 1380-1490, middle 50% 1435. DC has a 1400.

DC had a 1410 … deferred then waitlisted.

Test score is only one factor if many, obviously gpa probably more important. And with Tulane, nothing is more important than demonstrated interest.

I'm learning that demonstrated interest can be code for ED, which I did not realize. DC doesn't want to ED and I won't push that. They'll EA. They've attended local events and the one hosted at school, done online tours, and they're going to reach out to the AO, but our only chance of getting there for a visit to prove interest will have to be after the EA deadline. Would that still be worth it?

If you apply EA, they’ll likely reach out in December asking if you want to switch to ED. If you don’t, chances of admission plummet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, what schools is your kid applying to. I think if you share that, you may get more specific information out of folks. I have thoughts (and a freshman in college from this area), but it really depends on what schools your kid is applying to.

Tulane - last year they admitted 45% of their class TO. Their middle 50 range is 1380-1490, middle 50% 1435. DC has a 1400.

DC had a 1410 … deferred then waitlisted.

Test score is only one factor if many, obviously gpa probably more important. And with Tulane, nothing is more important than demonstrated interest.

I'm learning that demonstrated interest can be code for ED, which I did not realize. DC doesn't want to ED and I won't push that. They'll EA. They've attended local events and the one hosted at school, done online tours, and they're going to reach out to the AO, but our only chance of getting there for a visit to prove interest will have to be after the EA deadline. Would that still be worth it?

If you apply EA, they’ll likely reach out in December asking if you want to switch to ED. If you don’t, chances of admission plummet.

Ugh

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, what schools is your kid applying to. I think if you share that, you may get more specific information out of folks. I have thoughts (and a freshman in college from this area), but it really depends on what schools your kid is applying to.

Tulane - last year they admitted 45% of their class TO. Their middle 50 range is 1380-1490, middle 50% 1435. DC has a 1400.

DC had a 1410 … deferred then waitlisted.

Test score is only one factor if many, obviously gpa probably more important. And with Tulane, nothing is more important than demonstrated interest.

I'm learning that demonstrated interest can be code for ED, which I did not realize. DC doesn't want to ED and I won't push that. They'll EA. They've attended local events and the one hosted at school, done online tours, and they're going to reach out to the AO, but our only chance of getting there for a visit to prove interest will have to be after the EA deadline. Would that still be worth it?

If you apply EA, they’ll likely reach out in December asking if you want to switch to ED. If you don’t, chances of admission plummet.

Ugh

Tulane definitely accepts EA applicants, but it is hard to tell how they select the admits for EA. My DC applied EA and was accepted. DC’s friend with slightly higher stats was deferred from EA and asked to switch to ED2. Friend switched to ED2 and was also accepted.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, what schools is your kid applying to. I think if you share that, you may get more specific information out of folks. I have thoughts (and a freshman in college from this area), but it really depends on what schools your kid is applying to.

Tulane - last year they admitted 45% of their class TO. Their middle 50 range is 1380-1490, middle 50% 1435. DC has a 1400.

DC had a 1410 … deferred then waitlisted.

Test score is only one factor if many, obviously gpa probably more important. And with Tulane, nothing is more important than demonstrated interest.

I'm learning that demonstrated interest can be code for ED, which I did not realize. DC doesn't want to ED and I won't push that. They'll EA. They've attended local events and the one hosted at school, done online tours, and they're going to reach out to the AO, but our only chance of getting there for a visit to prove interest will have to be after the EA deadline. Would that still be worth it?

If you apply EA, they’ll likely reach out in December asking if you want to switch to ED. If you don’t, chances of admission plummet.

Ugh

Yup, they are notorious for this.

[Anonymous]

DC applied last year and was admitted to one of the top SLACs without submitting SAT/ACT score that was above 50% but below 75%. Sent AP scores (4 5s and 2 4s). Very high GPA and strong ECs.

[Anonymous]

Tulane does not want to accept high stats kids EA, because they are worried about being used as a safety school. That is why they push those kids to convert EA to ED2 and if not, they will flat out reject. Tulane timing is also timed as a communication that happens right as schools shut for the winter break, so that kids can't ask their guidance counselor about it. It's a strategy. Works for Tulane.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Personally, if my child chose not to take the SAT or ACT, I'd make it clear in the apps for TO schools avoid any misconception. It is true that not everyone is taking the SAT or ACT at this point. +1 to the CA comment after having lived there recently.

I don't understand why some here aiming for highly selective colleges just take the tests for the heck of it or after taking practice tests where they haven't regularly been scoring where they expect to.

Because test optional isn’t designed for rich white and Asian kids. If that’s your student, you should be shooting for high test scores.

Maybe for highly selective schools, but not outside T50 or so.

Yes, but that generally isn’t the focus of this forum.

Why not? There are more average kids than exceptional kids, but the neurotic parents have taken over the forum. Not every kid is a fit for or wants those schools. People make these blanket statements about things like TO, which are just not true for all types of schools and you steer people wrong. Your race conspiracy could be real at t50, but it’s the wrong strategy for less competitive schools where the AOs are specifically telling folks what to do. By definition, the top few schools are not the norm.

You are fighting a losing fight here, 90 percent of the posts are about T50 schools.

That’s not true. UMD, Tech, and Pitt are frequently discussed here.

[Anonymous]

My child applied test optional last year with a 3.8 W. In this case child took ACT twice and got 22 composite both times despite testing higher at home on practice tests (between 24 and 28). If she had gotten 24 on a test date we would’ve sent it as it was in the mid range at all her schools (albeit at lower end) but the 22 was below the mid range for all her schools and we didn’t want to give them a reason to say no. She was accepted everywhere. We knew it was a bit of a gamble but wagered she would get in somewhere and she did.

[Anonymous]

Would you submit if your kids ACT scores range from 25-35 with a 30 composite score, if it's in the mid 50%? Would the 35s offset the 25? 3.95 UW GPA, 6 AP classes through senior year, but not the super hard ones.