Class of 2025,
Welcome to October 1st! If you are applying for Early Action, colleges like UGA, Chapel Hill, Clemson, or Tech might be on your mind! They all have application deadlines of October 15th. (Trust me, there are a ton of others with 10/15 deadlines too!)
When applying to college, especially through Early Action (EA), one of the most frustrating aspects for students can be the time it takes for schools to receive test scores like the www.collegeboard.org or ACT. Understanding why it takes so long and why it's important to send scores well in advance can help prevent unnecessary stress as deadlines approach.
Why Does It Take So Long for Schools to Receive Test Scores?
Processing Time at the Testing Agency
After taking the SAT or ACT, the test must be graded and processed. For multiple-choice sections, this typically takes about two weeks. Essay sections (if applicable) or additional verification steps can add more time.
Once scores are finalized, they are not automatically sent to schools. Students must log into their testing portal and select the institutions to which they want their scores sent.
Delivery and Transmission Delays
Even in today's digital world, there can be a delay between when you request your scores to be sent and when they actually arrive at your target colleges. The College Board (for SAT) and ACT, Inc. (for ACT) both state that it can take between 1-2 weeks for the electronic transmission to reach schools after the request is made.
Some schools manually process test scores after receiving them, which can add additional time before the scores are reflected in your application.
High Volume During Peak Application Times
As deadlines approach, especially for Early Action or Early Decision rounds, there is an increase in the number of students requesting score reports. This high volume can slow down processing times at testing agencies and colleges. Many schools need extra time to match incoming scores with applications, further contributing to delays.
Why You Need to Send Test Scores in Advance for Early Action Applications
Strict Deadlines
Early Action deadlines are often in mid-October or early November, meaning the window to get everything in on time is tight. Colleges generally require that all application parts, including test scores, be submitted by the deadline. Since scores can take a couple of weeks to be sent and processed, students need to plan ahead and request score reports early.
Avoiding Stress and Application Delays
Sending scores at the last minute creates the risk that they may not arrive in time for the deadline, which could result in your application being incomplete. If a school doesn't receive all required materials, they may either reject the application or move it to Regular Decision, causing you to miss out on the benefits of Early Action.
Time for Score Re-sends
In some cases, scores may not reach colleges due to technical issues or mistakes in the transmission. If you send your scores well in advance, you'll have time to follow up with both the testing agency and the college to ensure everything has been received and processed correctly.
How Early Should You Send Your Scores?
Ideally, you should request your test scores to be sent three weeks before the EA deadline. This allows for any delays in processing and ensures that your scores arrive before the school's cut-off date. If you're waiting on test results from a late administration (for example, the October SAT), check the specific policies of your target schools—some may allow you to indicate that scores are pending and submit them as soon as they are available.
Conclusion
If you have not done so, send your test scores now to avoid potential stress and complications with your Early Action applications. Understand that processing times, both on the testing agency's end and at the college, can slow things down, especially during busy application seasons. Williams Educational believes planning is the best way to ensure your application is complete and on time.
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