Quick question about SAT/ACT scores on college apps?

Question

I don't get how college applications are due November 30th-ish but most colleges let you send your SAT/ACT scores at a later date? Can you send your current SAT/ACT score, take it again, and send the second (if it's higher) one?

Do colleges look down on this?

Answer 1

A lot of colleges require you to take the SAT prior to sending in the application. Sometimes the scores do not arrive until after the due date. I would talk to the specific college or university to find out the last possible date you can take the SAT for a particular deadline. I'm not sure what schools have a late November due date (I think that's larger schools that need to sift through large numbers of applications). Many smaller schools have a December 31 limit for regular action (I've seen as late as January 7 for Villanova) and November 1 for early. Look at the applications and talk to admissions councilors to make sure you do everything before it's due. Late applications, essays, or test dates don't reflect well on you and may not even be considered. And yes, schools look at the highest score per subject on the SAT (So if your math goes down (like from 700 to 650) and your verbal/critical reading  goes up (from 680 to 700) they'll take the best of both worlds (both 700s)).