Hi, so I'm a senior in high school this year and I am taking my SATs for the first time in October because I wasn't able to earlier. Is that bad? I'm worried about application deadlines for colleges and if the scores will come back in time. Do you know anything about that kind of situation?
Letâs talk about test scores and deadlines.
This page on the College Board website shows you when to expect to get your scores back depending on when you take the SAT. Do your research now and find your top four schools that require SAT scores. You get four SAT scores sent for free every time you take the SAT, but there are deadlines for that too! All other score reports will NOT be sent automatically, and you have to send them through the College Board website.
Are you planning on applying to college early?Â
Most college early action and early decision application deadlines are November 1 or November 15. If all goes according to plan, October 6 SAT scores should be sent to colleges in time for a November 1 deadline. Some early decision deadlines are later than November 15. Always look at and write down application deadlines and label them by school.
You would be cutting it close, which is something I do more than I should, and itâs stressful. University of Michigan warns that these scores typically donât arrive in time. Itâs also not something you have control over (i.e. once itâs done, you canât make them send it faster). U of Michigan, using that example, doesnât accept rush reported scores. Pay attention to each schoolâs specific application policies and write them down.Â
A November deadline means you can only take the SAT once before you apply. I only took the ACT once and, since my score was fine, I didnât take it again. You know yourself and your test-taking abilities best.
Are you applying for regular decision?
Regular decision deadlines are normally in January-February. You theoretically have time to take the SAT again if you register on time, which might mean registering for another SATÂ before you get your October scores back if it looks like SAT registration is filling up.
Letâs look at an example timeline.
Say youâre applying to William & Mary, which has an early decision II and regular decision application deadline of January 1. You looked on their website and found that W&M requires ACT or SAT scores.
You take the October 6 SAT with essay and get your scores back on October 19-21. You selected W&M as one of your four free score reports, so your scores will arrive at W&M within 10 days. W&M will get that first SAT well in advance of that application deadline!
You decide to take the SAT again. However, registration for the next two SATs is on October 5 and November 2! And late registration costs like 30 bucks extra!Â
You sign up for the November 3 test just after you get your October scores because you checked multiple times and made sure registration wasnât filling up, and you decided you didnât want to be too early since SAT cancellations are only partially refunded.
November 3 SAT scores should be sent out before December, so itâs possible that youâll have two SAT scores ready in advance for your on-time W&M application!
Youâre thinking about taking the SAT a third time. When registration for the December 1 SAT comes around, itâll be the day before your November 3 test, so you wonât be able to see your November scores before you register. December 1 SAT scores should arrive at W&M just before their January 1 deadline as well.
Got it? If not, feel free to come back and ask more questions. Deadlines are the worst, but you can learn how to meet them and get the things you want.
Write down every school deadline and specific application requirements. Donât forget about letters of recommendation (try to ask for those at least one month prior to an application deadline) and any other application materials you may need. There are many schools that donât require SAT or any test scores at all, so if things go badly, you have a backup plan!
Want more advice like this? Follow me at College Coward.
