🍦 Today's Scoops: To submit or not to submit? (Oct 20)

Good morning folks! Here’s what we have today:

1. Link Lounge Refresh

2. School of the Day: Arizona State University (ASU)

3. Admissions Blueprint: When to submit test scores

LINK LOUNGE REFRESH
New Resources & Scholarships!

On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays we will be updating the Link Lounge section with links to great resources such as scholarships and tools during the college application process. You’ll find it at the top of your email on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays and near the bottom during the rest of the week.

(NEW) Niche Direct Admissions - get accepted to colleges just based off your GPA and/or SAT

(NEW) Gohar Khan YouTube Channel - MIT grad’s advice on college admissions

Sprig by HackClub - Code a video game (in JavaScript) for a free console!

CaliforniaColleges.edu - California’s official college and career planning platform with lessons to prepare parents and students for life after high school

INFO ZONE
Upcoming Visits and Info Sessions

Why Princeton? Virtual Open House - Monday, October 21, 2024 at 4:00 PM until 5:30 PM

MIT Online Information Session - Wednesday, October 23, 2024 at 12:00 PM until 1:00 PM

(NEW) Duke Virtual Admissions Session - Wednesday, October 23, 2024 at 1:00 PM until 1:45 PM

Leadership at Cornell Engineering - Monday, October 21, 2024 at 5:00 PM until 6:00 PM

Stanford University Virtual Visit - Thursday, October 24, 2024 at 3:30 PM until 5:30 PM

(NEW) Columbia Engineering Student Q&A Chat - Friday, October 25, 2024 at 2:30 PM until 3:30 PM

SCHOOL OF THE DAY
Arizona State University (ASU)

Every day, we cover a different school, helping you learn something new about your favorite schools or find a new school that could end up being your dream school.

📍 Location: Tempe, AZ
🎓 Student Body: 65,174
📊 Acceptance Rate: 89.8%
📝 Average SAT/ACT: 1245/25
💸 Tuition: $11,618(in-state), $30,592 (out-of-state)
📅 Admission Options: Early Action (Nov 1), Regular Decision (Jan 15)
🏆 Top Ranking Programs: Communications (#32), Business (#41), Architecture (#46) (US News)
📈 Most Popular Majors: Business (22%), Engineering (9%), Biological and Biomedical Sciences (8%) (US News)

Pros:

🎓 #1 in Innovation:
For six years straight, ASU has been ranked the #1 most innovative school in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. It’s a great place for students who want to push the boundaries and be part of cutting-edge projects. Learn more about their innovation accolades here.

💻 Strong Engineering & Business Programs:
The Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering and the W. P. Carey School of Business are nationally ranked and offer excellent opportunities for students looking to pursue careers in tech or business. Explore more about the engineering school here and the business school here.

🌞 Weather & Location:
With over 300 days of sunshine each year, ASU’s Tempe campus is perfect for those who enjoy warm weather. Plus, its location in the Phoenix metropolitan area gives students access to a vibrant city life, internships, and job opportunities. Check out ASU’s Tempe campus here.

🌍 Global Opportunities:
ASU’s Thunderbird School of Global Management is highly regarded and offers unique programs for students interested in international business, global affairs, and leadership. See more about Thunderbird here.

💡 Focus on Sustainability:
ASU is committed to sustainability, with its School of Sustainability being the first of its kind in the U.S. They offer degrees focused on solving global environmental challenges. Learn more about their sustainability initiatives here.

🗣 Extensive Networking & Career Support:
ASU’s large alumni network and strong ties to industries provide plenty of career and internship opportunities. Their Career and Professional Development Services offers personalized guidance for students to succeed after graduation. Explore their career services here.

Cons:

👥 Large Student Body:
With over 77,000 students on its Tempe campus, ASU can feel overwhelming. Some students may find it hard to get personal attention in such a large environment.

💰 Out-of-State Tuition:
While ASU is affordable for in-state students, out-of-state tuition can be pricey. Make sure to look into financial aid and scholarships if you’re from out of state. Find more about their tuition and fees here.

📍 Urban Campus:
The Tempe campus is located in a busy metropolitan area, which might not appeal to students looking for a more traditional or quieter college town experience. Read more about ASU’s campus environment here.

🎒 Limited Housing Availability:
Housing can be competitive, especially for upperclassmen. ASU has faced some challenges in providing enough on-campus housing for all students. Check out housing options here.

ADMISSIONS BLUEPRINT
When to submit test scores

With more schools going test-optional, the big question on all our minds is: Do I really need to submit my SAT/ACT scores? The answer, like most things in the admissions world, is it depends.

🤔 What Does “Test-Optional” Actually Mean?
When a school is test-optional, it means that submitting standardized test scores is not required for your application to be considered. Colleges have shifted toward this model to be more inclusive, recognizing that standardized tests don’t always capture a student’s full potential. If you don’t submit a score, admissions officers will focus more on other parts of your application—like your essays, extracurriculars, GPA, and recommendation letters.

But here’s the catch: test-optional doesn’t mean that scores don’t matter at all—if they’re good.

✨ When Should You Submit a Test Score?
Submit your scores if they strengthen your application. A good rule of thumb: if your score is at or above the school’s average range (usually found on their admissions page), it’s worth sending in. Here’s when submitting your scores is a good idea:

- Your score falls within or above the middle 50% range for admitted students.
- Your GPA isn’t as strong as you’d like—a solid test score can compensate for a lower GPA.
- You’re applying to a highly competitive program or major (like engineering or business), where scores might tip the scale.
- You’re aiming for merit scholarships—some schools still consider test scores when awarding scholarships, even if they’re test-optional.

❌ When Not to Submit a Test Score
Skip submitting your test scores if they don’t reflect your abilities or if they’re below the school’s average. Here’s when to hold back:

- Your score is below the 25th percentile for that school’s admitted students.
- You feel your other strengths (like leadership, research, or a standout essay) shine more than a test score.
- You’ve retaken the test several times but haven’t seen the improvement you were hoping for (especially if they ask you to submit all attempts).
- The school explicitly states that test scores are a small or insignificant part of their decision-making process.

📝 The Bottom Line
Test-optional means you can choose whether or not to submit scores, but it’s all about strategy. If your scores reflect positively on your academic potential, submit them! But if they might hold you back, it’s perfectly fine to lean on your essays, extracurriculars, and everything else that makes you you.

Ultimately, the choice to submit or not is yours—but make sure it’s a choice that helps your application shine. 🌟

DAILY DEADLINE UPDATES
UT materials due by Oct 23!

In the Daily Deadlines section, we will keep you updated on upcoming deadlines in the college admissions world. Remember to not procrastinate and stay ahead of these deadlines!

University of Texas Materials Deadline: October 23
Most ED, REA & EA Deadlines: November 1

THE ARCHIVE
Looking for past mailings?

You can view all our previous posts at our website at https://scholarscoops.beehiiv.com

IDEAS COME FROM EVERYWHERE
Have an idea for the newsletter?

Is there a question you’ve been dying to have answered related to college admissions? Or, is there something just nagging you about Scholar Scoops that you want to see fixed soon? We want to hear from you. You can submit feedback at https://forms.gle/7Rj2eBCiauEc5oNV8. Thank you so much!