BACKGROUND
Score Choice is a new option for students to report SAT and Subject Test scores to colleges. It allows students to select the scores they send to individual colleges — by test date for the SAT, and by individual test for Subject Tests. The College Board says the goal of the program is to reduce stress for students by giving them more control over their scores. Some counselors and admissions officers, however, are concerned that Score Choice will actually confuse students and increase anxiety about testing.
THE QUESTION
What advice do you have for students about using Score Choice?
WORD FROM THE EXPERTS
My advice to students is send all of your scores. Most colleges will only consider your best scores so you are not disadvantaged in any way by releasing them all. In fact, many colleges prefer to see all of your scores, so this is a good strategy. The best part for you is that it is simple. You don't have to think about which scores to send to which colleges and when to do it. Applying to college is stressful enough, so take advantage of this one small way to remove a bit of pressure from the experience. If you feel very strongly that you wish to control what colleges see and when, then by all means release only those scores that you wish. After all, those scores are yours. Just stay on top of it so you don't disadvantage yourself by forgetting and missing important deadlines.
Madeleine Rhyneer
Vice President for Admission and Financial Aid
Willamette University
Salem, OR
