When I applied to college in the mid-eighties, I filled out my application on a typewriter, put it in an envelope, and mailed it to my prospective colleges. My guidance counselor gathered my letters of recommendation, transcripts, and SAT scores, put them into a manila envelope, and mailed them to the schools. Then, I waited and assumed that the post office would deliver my applications in good faith.

For current high school seniors, those same pieces still need to get to the colleges but with the transition to electronic applications, score choice, digital portfolios, and eDocs. The process has become in some ways, easier but in many other ways, more confusing.

I often get asked if you can submit your application before the letters of recommendation are sent, and the answer is YES! Students submit all the pieces under their control by the deadline, and the other aspects, e.g. letters of recommendation, official test scores (if needed), transcripts, etc. get added to your application once they arrive.

The big question for seniors right now: should I send my scores? 

Vice President for Enrollment Management at Case Western Reserve University, Rick Bischoff, says don't just consider whether the composite ACT or total SAT score is within the 50% range, consider whether the subscores support the preparation of their major. Colleges are not as concerned if an engineering applicant has a lower than 50% English score as long as their math/science score is strong; similarly, if an art major has a lower math score, it's not as important. While this may not be true at all schools, it's something else students can weigh when deciding to use or not to use their scores this year.

Even with the continuing trend of schools going back to requiring tests, colleges have a better handle on reading applications without test scores or typical extracurricular activities that were once impacted by COVID. Students' transcripts, e.g. rigor, trends, performance, and letters of recommendation help colleges put students in context and determine how they compare to others within their high school. Yet, students are highly encouraged to submit test scores if they are a positive addition to their application.

Recently, Lisa, Abby, and Stefanie led a conversation about College Admissions Trends, how they have impacted applicants, and what to expect in the upcoming application cycle. Listen to the podcast here!

Many colleges allow students to self-report test scores during the application process and only require sending official score reports when the student enrolls.

Please check college-specific policies detailed in a blog post from Compass Education Group:

In most cases, if you must send official test scores to colleges such as Stony Brook or Georgetown, your application isn't considered complete until received. While most schools allow leeway for the scores to arrive after your application has been submitted, we still strongly recommend sending test scores NOW.

Below are videos showing how to do it.

As always, if you have any questions, feel free to ask.

Requirements vary, and it is very important that you check and follow the policy set by each individual school. The CSS/PROFILE applications opened on October 1st, and the FAFSA, which is delayed this year because of new changes, will open on December 1st.

If you cannot find the information on the school website (Admissions page, Tuition and Fees, or Financial Aid page), call the Financial Aid office directly..

When applying for financial aid, the FAFSA and CSS Profile for the academic year 2025-26 use tax data from the calendar year 2023. If you have special circumstances for 2024, you will have to contact colleges to let them know that you have a lower family income than reflected in 2023 tax returns. Here's a great, free nonprofit resource for doing that: 

Rick Clark, Assistant Vice Provost and Executive Director of Undergraduate Admission at Georgia Tech, explains the three messages we need to hear right now:

1. Admission Math. It’s the same as regular math.

2. Adulting is hard at times. 

3. Admission is not fair.