The Transcript Read Process At Test Optional Schools

Many student-athletes and their families at some point in their recruiting process will be asked to go through a transcript read process. 

The admissions pre-read is a comprehensive assessment conducted by college admissions offices to determine a student-athlete's academic eligibility and readiness for admission. This evaluation takes into account various factors, including high school transcripts, standardized test scores, and a review of the student-athlete's academic profile. 

This process gauges the likelihood of a student-athlete being accepted into a college.

With the growing number of schools moving the test optional each year, a common question is if I am applying to test optional schools, do I have to submit my test scores (SAT or ACT) along with my transcripts for a pre-read?

(If you want to know what schools are test optional you should visit https://fairtest.org/test-optional-list/ for a full list.)

Do I have to submit my test scores for an admissions pre-read?

If you are pursuing schools that are test optional and you are unsure if your SAT/ACT scores are a good fit, ask the coach first if you should include them in your pre-read. They should be able to guide you in the best direction but typically if you know your test scores are below the standards you should also leave them out of the pre-read. 

If your test scores are around the average, then the admissions pre-read should come back with information regarding if you should submit or not submit. It may also have information on what would be the ideal test score to submit in order to strengthen your application in comparison to your transcripts. If your test scores are above the average for the college then you should definitely submit them with the pre-read.

While it is not an official application, if admissions counselors see lower test scores on the pre-read that you will not be submitting in your application, it is hard for them to “unsee” those scores at the time of reviewing applications. So be sure to ask the coach if it is even worth your submitting in the pre-read.

In the end, the great piece of a school being test optional is the ability to use your test scores to elevate your application, while not having lower test scores hold you back when your application is read by an admissions counselor. 

Taking the SAT and ACT multiple times to improve your results can take your scores from not helping you in the admissions process to really giving you a boost for either acceptance or even academic scholarships. 

Just be sure to always ask a coach if they think you should submit your test scores with your transcripts when going through a pre-read process and they will be able to give you the best advice based on their schools admissions expectations.