Where We Stand on SAT Score Choice
As many of you may know, the College Board now allows you the option to choose which scores (by test date) you wish to send to colleges. Earlier this winter the College Board requested Vanderbilt’s official position on its new Score Choice policy. We wanted to post to help explain our position on this new policy, as well as to let you know how we came to that position.
Our Vice Provost for Enrollment and Dean of Admissions formed a committee composed of members from various University offices to address the issue. After considerable debate and weighing all the possible options provided by the College Board, Vanderbilt selected “Highest Section Scores Across Test Dates (version 2),” reprinted below.
Highest Section Scores Across Test Dates – Version 2 (Highest M, CR, W)
Vanderbilt University has indicated that it considers your highest section scores across all SAT test dates that you submit. Only your highest section scores will be considered as part of the final admissions decision. Each time you submit scores, Vanderbilt University will update your record with any new high scores.
Vanderbilt University strongly encourages you to submit your scores each time you take the SAT. Sending your scores each time you take the SAT can benefit you by allowing Vanderbilt University to consider you for all available enrollment-related opportunities.
We believe that this position is a highly student-centered option and gives the applicant the most control over the score reporting process. We believe in the fundamental truth that you, the student ultimately own your test score. We believe this option most directly mirrors the admissions philosophy under which we currently operate.
In an effort to get the word out, we have placed this statement on our main website, but please share with your friends and others who are applying to Vanderbilt this coming fall. Also make sure to educate yourself and others about the score reporting process this year. The College Board has also provided a full listing of college and scholarship score use practices.
A Note to Applicants Regarding Vanderbilt’s SAT Score Choice Policy
Vanderbilt will consider the highest section scores across all SAT test dates. Students should send scores from every SAT test date in which they receive a top score in at least one section: mathematics, critical reading, and writing. Only the highest section scores will be considered as part of the admissions review process. Each time SAT scores are submitted, the student’s record is updated with the new high section scores. Vanderbilt strongly encourages students to submit scores each time they take the SAT.
While many of our applicants submit SAT Subject test scores, they are not required. As part of the admissions review process, the Admissions Committee may consider any SAT Subject test scores that a student submits.
We would love to hear your thoughts.
September 10th, 2009
Are you doing this with ACT as well? Does this put ACT takers in a worse position?
September 10th, 2009
The ACT has long had a policy like score choice that allows test takers to select which scores to send (by test date). We will treat ACT scores in the way as what we’re describing here with the SAT Reasoning (i.e., considering only the highest composite ACT score in our final admissions decisions). The only difference between the two is that we do not “super-score” the ACT, whereas we do with the SAT Reasoning. It shouldn’t put ACT takers at any disadvantage.
September 11th, 2010
What is the minimium score for ACT?
September 12th, 2010
Cherry,
There is no minimum score required for applicants. We have a holistic review process. Our admitted students last year had an ACT middle 50% of 31-34. Thanks for the question!
October 15th, 2010
What is the minnimum for S.A.T. score.
October 18th, 2010
Kris,
There is no minimum SAT required at Vanderbilt. Check out our 10th Day Data from last year to see the middle range of SAT scores.
November 5th, 2010
If I submit SAT subject test scores after the application deadline, will they be considered during the admission process?
November 7th, 2010
Rachel: We should be able to review those scores. As soon as they arrive in our office, they’ll be included in your file for review.
December 17th, 2010
Should I submit just my highest composite ACT score as Vanderbilt does not Superscore?
December 18th, 2010
Alex: Yes. We are only looking at your highest composite.
December 19th, 2010
I already applied regular decision and sent in an ACT Plus Writing score of 31 and an ACT (no writing) score of 33. I fulfilled the requirement of an ACT with a writing score, but will you use the 33 as my highest composite for admission consideration?
December 19th, 2010
Jacob: Yes.
December 27th, 2010
If the student is unsatisfied with their SAT scores, is there any way to expunge them from the admission process after the scores have been sent?
December 27th, 2010
Jane: We will look at your highest scores primarily. We do not “expunge” scores once submitted. Best wishes!
January 2nd, 2011
I am aware that the admissions office receives SAT scores by mail. I’ve sent my SAT scores some time ago via Collegeboard.. how can I resend it through mail?
Thank you!
January 3rd, 2011
Anonymous: You’ll have to contact the College Board directly and have them mailed to us at 2305 West End Avenue, Nashville, TN 37203
February 8th, 2011
what is the lowest ACT score that Vanderbilt will accept?
February 9th, 2011
Morgan: We do not have a minimum. We conduct a holistic review in order to consider multiple factors. Check out a previous post where I described how we read a file. Also, read my post on what the middle 50% really means.
March 31st, 2011
How does Vanderbilt look at or weigh the Writing section of the SAT? More than, equal to, or less than the Critical Reading and Mathematics?
March 31st, 2011
Jarod: We do not evaluate the writing portion of the SAT.
October 24th, 2016
Hi! I was reading through this post, and stumbled across this comment. Does Vanderbilt still not evaluate the writing portion of the SAT, or has this policy changed? Thank you very much.
October 26th, 2016
Thank you for your question. Our review regarding the Essay portion of the SAT has not changed — that score is not required and we do not rely on it as a part of our evaluation. Thanks!
March 31st, 2011
Kylie,
If Vanderbilt does not evaluate the Writing section of the SAT, why does it have be submitted as part of the application?
August 5th, 2011
So I realize that Vanderbilt doesn’t score choice the ACT. However, if I send multiple ACT scores, will Vanderbilt consider the highest score in each of the 4 sections of the ACT? I’m wondering because I have two different ACT test dates with the same composite score, yet the sub scores are different.
August 5th, 2011
In addition, should applicants send their AP scores to Vanderbilt or should we wait to hear if we are accepted and then report the scores to Vanderbilt?
September 19th, 2011
what SAT score is necessary to get into Vanderbilt
September 22nd, 2011
Lucy, please contact admissions@vanderbilt.edu. They will be happy to answer your question and any others.
February 26th, 2012
I just saw the campus today and never thought in a million years that I would want to go. Is it too late to apply? I have my ACT scores but I never took the writing portion which wouldnt get completed until April. Im not sure what to do. I really like this school.
February 27th, 2012
Hi Bri. Thanks for your interest in Vanderbilt. We’re so glad you were able to visit campus, but, yes, it is too late to apply this year. The Common Application will go live in August for the next class. Until then, we wish you the best in your college search and application process!
May 10th, 2012
what is the highest and lowest ACT or SAT score that can get you into Vanderbilt?
May 10th, 2012
Because we use a holistic review process, we do not have a “cutoff” or required score for standardized testing. To get an idea of what types of scores our most competitive applicants are bringing in, check out academic profile of this past year’s freshman class: http://admissions.vanderbilt.edu/profile/
December 15th, 2012
Would I be able to only send my ACT score and my SAT Subject scores? OR do I need to send my SAT Reasoning test as well because I want to send my Subject tests?
December 16th, 2012
You do not need to submit your SAT Reasoning along with your subject scores. If you would rather submit only your ACT along with those subject scores, we will accept them both.
December 16th, 2012
Thanks!
December 29th, 2012
will it be too late to send my sat scores today, dec. 29th if the deadline is thurs. jan 3rd
December 31st, 2012
Hi Rachel. No, you should be fine to send your SAT scores at this point, but please follow-up with your admissions counselor in a few weeks to ensure we received them.
December 3rd, 2013
You say it is not superscored. But if I hand in multiple ACTs, do you still look at the highest subscores?
December 3rd, 2013
Thanks for your question, Daniel. If you send multiple ACT scores, we consider the highest composite score, not the highest subscores.
December 25th, 2013
Does Vanderbilt value SAT writing score as much as CR and Maths?
December 26th, 2013
Thanks for your question, Kyle. We evaluate the writing score as a part of our holistic approach to application review. As with other parts of the application, it isn’t a “make or break” element. For admitted students, the writing score is also used for class placement purposes. Thanks for your interest in Vanderbilt.
April 17th, 2016
While reviewing the admissions requirements I noticed that it said that the ACT writing is required; however, I stumbled across another section that said that it is no longer required. Could you please clarify that for me?
April 18th, 2016
Thanks for your question, Victoria. For students entering Vanderbilt in fall 2017 or later, the writing section of the ACT will no longer be required. It has been required up to this point, but for new applicants it will no longer be mandatory.
December 12th, 2016
I also have a question about the writing section of the ACT. Since writing is no longer mandatory, will it still be used in the admissions evaluation since it will be on my official score report? I took the ACT with writing, since some schools still require it. Thank you.
December 16th, 2016
Thank you for your question. We do not consider the writing section of the ACT.
December 16th, 2016
Thank you for your reply…Have a great weekend :)
December 25th, 2017
Do you have to send all of your ACT scores or can I only select my best score and just send one?
January 2nd, 2018
Thanks for the question. You choose which scores to submit with your application. We will review any scores you submit, but you aren’t obliged to submit all of your test scores.