SAT Score Submissions and Early Action at MIT: Clarifying the Rules

When planning for college admissions, particularly with flagship institutions like MIT, understanding the nuances of application policies can be quite complex. Many students and their families may have questions regarding early action and how it affects submitting SAT scores. In this article, we will clarify the process and policies surrounding SAT score submissions for students who plan to apply to MIT in early action.

Understanding Early Action at MIT

Before we delve into SAT score submissions, it's crucial to understand what early action means at MIT. As a non-restrictive early action (EA) school, MIT does not bind an applicant to attend the university if admitted early. However, it is important to be aware that MIT (along with several other renowned institutions like Stanford and Harvard) has a policy that discourages applicants from applying to both MIT with early action and any restrictive early action schools. This policy is in place to ensure fairness and maintain the integrity of the admissions process.

Applying to MIT with early action does not automatically disqualify you from other schools. However, if you plan to apply to additional schools with early action, you should be cautious. It's wise to consult the specific admission policies of those institutions to ensure compliance with their rules.

SAT Score Submission Process

Now, let's turn to the specifics of SAT score submissions. SAT and ACT scores are a critical component of your college application. However, sending these scores is distinct from the application process itself. You can request up to four free score reports when registering for the SAT or ACT, and you can change the colleges to which those scores are sent up to 9 days after the test is taken. This means you have significant flexibility in deciding which colleges to send your scores to, regardless of the type of application you choose (early action, early decision, or regular decision).

One key point to keep in mind is that you can indeed send your SAT scores to multiple colleges without filing an application to those schools. This process is straightforward and can be accessed through the College Board platform. Additionally, if you take multiple SATs and want to choose which scores to send, you can use the ScoreChoice option. This option allows you to select which scores to send to any college you choose, without automatically sending all of your scores.

Additional Considerations

It's also important to understand that you can choose not to apply to some of the colleges you send your scores to. My own experience with my son's college applications highlights this point. He took the SAT Chemistry Subject Test after completing AP Chemistry in his 10th-grade year and sent his free score report to four colleges. When he finalized his college list in the fall of his senior year, he ended up not applying to two of the colleges he had initially sent his scores to.

Furthermore, you have the option to see your scores first and then decide which tests and scores to send. However, if you choose this route, you will incur an additional cost of $11 per college. If you've taken multiple SATs, you can use the ScoreChoice option to choose which scores to send. Some colleges may require you to submit all scores from all tests, but it's important to check whether this is a requirement and whether you are obligated to comply.

In summary, while there are some restrictions regarding early action at MIT, submitting SAT scores is a flexible process. You can send your scores to multiple colleges, including those to which you have not yet applied or do not plan to apply. By using the ScoreChoice option and understanding the policies of the colleges to which you send your scores, you can maximize your options and ensure a smooth application process.

FAQ

Yes, you can. Submitting SAT scores is separate from the application process. You can send free score reports to multiple colleges up to 9 days after taking the test and use ScoreChoice to select which scores to send.

No, there are no direct restrictions on sending SAT scores to multiple colleges. However, you should be mindful of the admissions policies of other schools you plan to apply to, as some schools may have their own early action rules.

The ScoreChoice option allows you to choose which SAT or ACT scores to send to any college you apply to, without automatically sending all of your scores. This can be particularly useful if you have taken multiple tests.