To Send or Not to Send (SAT Edition)

We break down when SAT/ACT scores help, when they hurt, and how to decide whether to go test-optional for East Coast colleges. Clear rules, real cases, and practical steps to match your strengths to each school’s policy and priorities.

• what test-optional means versus test-blind
• how officers use scores as confidence signals
• rule of thumb using the middle 50 per cent
• two student case studies with different strategies
• differences among Ivies, liberal arts, and flagships
• scholarship considerations tied to submitted scores
• how to strengthen essays, recs, and activities when skipping tests
• final checklist to align numbers, narrative, and strategy

If you found today's episode helpful, please share it with a friend, a family member, a student, or a friend who is weighing the same decision
And don't forget to subscribe so you don't miss next week's episode

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Episode Transcript

SPEAKER_00 (01:08):
Hello and welcome back to the East Coast College
Admissions podcast, the showwhere we break down the college
admissions process, sharestrategies for success, and help
students and families supportthe journey with confidence and
clarity.
I am your host, Cleopatra, andtoday we are tackling one of the
biggest course things I've beengetting from students and
parents this season.

(01:28):
Should I submit my test courseor apply test optional?
Now it's no secret that theadmissions landscape has changed
dramatically since 2020.
Many East Coast colleges,including Ivy's and top liberal
arts colleges, went testoptional during the pandemic.
But as we enter anotheradmission cycle, families are
still unsure how much thesetests really matter.

(01:50):
So today I'll break it all down.
What does optional really mean?
When submittance costs can helpor hurt you, how East Coast
colleges view standardizedtesting now, and how to make the
right choice for your uniquesituation.

(02:13):
Let's start with a littlecontest.
Before 2020, most colleges,especially selected East Coast
colleges, required SAT or ATTscores.
Then came the pandemic.
Test sites shut down.

(02:35):
Some are test flexible and a feware quietly bringing scores back
into the conversation.
For example, MIT and Jottownhave reinstated test
requirements.
Others like Harvard, Brown, andColumbia remain test optional at
least for right now.
The point is the landscape isconstantly shifting.
So understanding how collegesuse these test scores, even in

(02:57):
test optional world, is crucial.
So what does test optionalactually mean?
Here's the biggestmisunderstanding I see.
Test optional doesn't mean testblind.
Actually, test blind means aschool literally doesn't
consider scores at all, like theUC system in California.
Test optional, on the otherhand, means you can choose

(03:19):
whether to submit your scores.
If you submit them, they'll beconsidered.
If you don't, your applicationwill still be reviewed without
penalty.
But here is the catch.
Admissions officers are human.
If they have two applicants withvery similar profiles and one
has a strong test score, thatscore can still add confidence

(03:39):
to their decision.
It's not required, but it'sreassuring.
So how do you decide?
Here is the general rule ofthumb.
If your test score is that orabove the school's middle 50%
range, please go ahead andsubmit it.
If it's below the 25% out,don't.
Unless there's strong contest orimprovement.

(04:00):
For example, if a college's SATmiddle 50% is 1420 to 1540 and
you have 1530, go ahead andsubmit it.
It reinforces your academicreadiness.
But if you have a 1320 and therest of your application is
stellar, skip it.
It won't add any value.
This is where the strategy comesin.
Let me paint a scenario of twostudents that I've worked with

(04:22):
in the past, and both were verysuccessful.
Student A had a 1550 SAT andstrong math and science
coursework.
He submitted his code to MIT andstrengthened his already
STEM-heavy profile.
While student B had a 1360, butincredible essays,
recommendations, and leadership.
She applied test optional toBrown.

(04:43):
And what's admitted, the key isknowing your strengths and using
them wisely.
Let's talk specifically aboutEast Coast colleges because they
each interpret test optional alittle differently.
I believe colleges mostly remaintest optional, but internally,
some still weighs scores moreheavily than others.
Harvard, for instance, saysscores are optional, but when

(05:06):
submitted, they can highlighteconomic strength.
Liberal art colleges likeBaldwin, Westland, and Smith
have been test optional foryears, even before COVID.
They genuinely emphasizeholistic review.
Public flagships like UV aretechnically test optional, but
test scores can affect meritscholarship eligibility.
So here's my advice.

(05:27):
If you're applying to East Coastcolleges, look at their admitted
student data, understand yourpercentile range, and make your
decision from there.
If you are going test optional,you need to make sure the rest
of your application shines evenbrighter.
Admissions officers will focuson your transcript, your essays,
your recommendations, and extracarriages.

(05:48):
Think of it like this removingtest scores shifts the spotlight
to everything else.
So make sure that those otherparts, your essays, your story,
your growth are exceptional.
So, should you submit your testscores?
Here's my answer.
It depends on your numbers, yournarrative, and your strategy.
If your score reflects youracademic strength, submit it

(06:11):
proudly.
If it doesn't, trust the otherparts of your application to do
the talking.
Colleges aren't looking forperfect numbers, they are
looking for authentic,consistent stories of growth and
potential.
Thank you for tuning in fortoday's episode of the East
Coast College AdmissionsPodcast.
If you found today's episodehelpful, please share it with a
friend, a family member, astudent, or a friend who is

(06:33):
weighing the same decision.
And don't forget to subscribe soyou don't miss next week's
episode.
Until then, I'm Cleopatra,reminding you that numbers don't
define you, but strategyabsolutely can be a little bit

(10:21):
more.