Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not to hijack the thread but this test optional world has been really confusing for my bright - but not brilliant -- kid. They have a 1450 which now seems too low for a lot of schools that would have been reasonable targets and reaches a few years ago. Now they're worried that they won't be considered with such a "low" score, yet not submitting scores will read as though they bombed the SAT.

Submit the 1450.

Data says otherwise. However, until institutions have to report more granularly, you are in the dark, absent access to the data from other sources. For example, what is the percentage of recruited athletes who are TO at Williams? If it is a large percentage, then by default the SAT range of 1500-1535-1560 is somewhat valid for a non-athlete. The 1450 will get you rejected if you are not an athlete. At that SAT point, since only 47 students in Williams Freshman class had below a 1500, your odds are long, really long, with a 1450.

Anonymous wrote:I don't know if this is legit or not, but at least one 3rd party college counselor said that for low-acceptance schools with no supplementals, you should still write an email to the AO that covers your territory and basically write a supplemental essay in your email.

It can just be effectively "Why Williams".

I don't know if this is true...but at the same time I can believe it's true and just adds to the BS.

Sorry, but that seems like terrible advice. If they wanted a supplemental essay, they would make it part of the application. Getting a bunch of unsolicited emails from applicants sounds like it would just create more work for admissions and be a mark against the applicant who didn’t follow instructions.

I don't know if this is legit or not, but at least one 3rd party college counselor said that for low-acceptance schools with no supplementals, you should still write an email to the AO that covers your territory and basically write a supplemental essay in your email.

It can just be effectively "Why Williams".

I don't know if this is true...but at the same time I can believe it's true and just adds to the BS.

Anonymous wrote:Not to hijack the thread but this test optional world has been really confusing for my bright - but not brilliant -- kid. They have a 1450 which now seems too low for a lot of schools that would have been reasonable targets and reaches a few years ago. Now they're worried that they won't be considered with such a "low" score, yet not submitting scores will read as though they bombed the SAT.

Submit the 1450.

Anonymous wrote:Not to hijack the thread but this test optional world has been really confusing for my bright - but not brilliant -- kid. They have a 1450 which now seems too low for a lot of schools that would have been reasonable targets and reaches a few years ago. Now they're worried that they won't be considered with such a "low" score, yet not submitting scores will read as though they bombed the SAT.

I agree. It def changes the game and those “bright not brilliant” kids are getting lost in the shuffle, which is a bummer bc a lot of those kids have a skill set that would likely make them campus contributors and they tend to do well in life as they are hard workers. Pre TO, my kid would have been a great candidate for Michigan (top choice) bc of rigor, grades and leadership at HS but now can’t get into Georgia or Florida.

I guess there are always institutional winners and losers though.

Not to hijack the thread but this test optional world has been really confusing for my bright - but not brilliant -- kid. They have a 1450 which now seems too low for a lot of schools that would have been reasonable targets and reaches a few years ago. Now they're worried that they won't be considered with such a "low" score, yet not submitting scores will read as though they bombed the SAT.

Anonymous wrote:I recommend that your kid do the supplemental essay. My kid did not do it when they applied- submitted a school paper instead. Waitlisted RD. Not saying that doing the essay would have made a difference for them, but your kid should put everything on the table.

OP here: I didn't see a prompt for an optional supp (I only see option to upload a graded paper). Can you link? Thx.

corrected
Williams similar to all Ivies. TO skewed SAT

prior to test optional 66% submit sat, 47% submit act
2019-2020
25%-50%-75%
1420 1500 1540

2024-2025
35% submit sat
25%-50%-75%
1500 1535 1560
report

Williams similar to all Ivies. TO skewed SAT

prior to test optional 66% submit sat, 47% submit act
2019-2020
25%-50%-75%
1420 1540 1500

2024-2025
35% submit sat
25%-50%-75%
1500 1535 1560

So many students don't submit SAT to Williams, only 35% do.

I recommend that your kid do the supplemental essay. My kid did not do it when they applied- submitted a school paper instead. Waitlisted RD. Not saying that doing the essay would have made a difference for them, but your kid should put everything on the table.

Anonymous wrote:Yep. No other supplements. But don’t worry, your DC probably won’t get in unless he has ivy stats

Very ambitious. Williams stats are highly under an ivy. Let’s be honest.

Yep. No other supplements. But don’t worry, your DC probably won’t get in unless he has ivy stats

Yep. They gotta boost those apps.

According to the website, I can submit an optional writing supplement - like a graded paper from school?

And there is really no supplemental essays?

Am I reading it right?