A parent asked me a few weeks ago how I decide where a student should submit SAT or ACT scores when colleges are test optional. Her daughter had taken the SAT twice and earned a 1330. Fordham was her first choice. “She doesn’t have a great score,” the parent said. “Should she submit it?”

Before getting to Fordham, I wanted to put the number in perspective. A 1330 is a strong SAT score. College Board places it in the 88th percentile among recent SAT takers meaning she scored as well as or better than 88 percent of students who took the exam.

Once families begin looking at selective colleges, scores in the high 1400s and 1500s can start to seem ordinary. They are exceptionally rare. A student should feel proud of a 1330, even when it may not make sense to send it to every college. For Fordham, I would leave it off.

Fordham’s enrolled students who submitted testing had a middle 50 percent SAT range of 1350 to 1480. A 1330 falls just below the lower end. Fordham also reports that 74 percent of its enrolled students did not submit scores, so applying without one is very common.

Leaving the score off does not change Fordham’s place on her list. It remains a reach, and the admissions office will pay closer attention to her grades, course selection, essays, recommendations, and activities.

Syracuse required a closer look. Its current SAT range is 1270 to 1440, which puts a 1330 inside the range but below the midpoint.

Here, I would want to see the full academic picture. If she has strong grades in challenging courses, her transcript may already provide plenty of evidence that she is ready for the work. If her course rigor is lighter or her grades are uneven, the 1330 could add something useful. I would also check her Math and Reading and Writing section scores, especially if one of them lines up closely with her intended major.

UConn was the easiest decision. Its current SAT range is 1220 to 1440. A 1330 lands near the middle, so I would submit it.

For this student, the same 1330 would likely be submitted to UConn, considered more carefully at Syracuse, and withheld from Fordham. The college changes the value of the score within the application.

Families can make an initial pass on their own. Search the college’s name followed by “BigFuture,” open the admissions page, and find the middle 50 percent range. Scores below the 25th percentile usually stay off. Scores near or above the midpoint generally go in. Anything between those points deserves a closer look at the transcript, course rigor, section scores, intended major, and any scholarship requirements connected to testing.

One important detail: at a test-optional college, the published range includes only enrolled students who submitted scores. Students with higher scores are more likely to send them, which can push the range upward. The numbers provide useful context without creating a firm admissions cutoff.

Most score decisions are fairly quick. Fordham and UConn are clear in this case. Syracuse is where I would pause, place the score beside the transcript, and ask whether it adds useful evidence. If it does, send it. If the student’s academic record already tells the stronger story, leave it off.

Deadline: Monday, September 14, 2026 at 11:59 p.m.

A paid program for NYC high school students interested in art, museums, and creative careers. Teen residents spend nine months getting an inside look at MoMA while working directly with artists and museum professionals. Students participate in hands on workshops and contribute to MoMA’s public programming. Depending on the project, that can include leading gallery experiences, developing interpretive text and audio, and supporting the museum’s Learning and Engagement work.

Why it stands out: This is a substantial, long term commitment with responsibility inside one of the world’s major art museums. Especially strong for students interested in art, art history, museums, design, education, or other creative fields.

Learn more and register →

Deadline: October 26, 2026

A national competition where students design and code an original app. Projects can be built for any platform and in virtually any programming language, including block based coding, so students do not need to be advanced programmers to participate. Students can compete individually or in teams of up to four. They compete in the congressional district where they live or attend school, and U.S. citizenship is not required. Winning apps are displayed on House.gov for a year, and winners are invited to the House of Code reception in Washington, D.C.

Why it stands out: Students still have plenty of time to develop a project from scratch. It can be especially worthwhile for someone who already has an interest they could turn into an app.

Learn more and enter →

Submissions open: October 1, 2026

The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards recognize original student work across 28 categories, including drawing, photography, poetry, flash fiction, journalism, film and animation, and more. Entries are judged blindly based on originality, skill, and the emergence of a personal voice. Entry fees: Individual work is $10. Portfolios are $30. Fee waivers are available for students for whom the cost is a barrier. The full 2027 timeline will be released in September. Gold Medal Portfolio recipients receive $12,500 scholarships.

Why it stands out: Scholastic is one of the best known national recognitions for young artists and writers. For students who already write, photograph, draw, make films, or create other work, August and September are useful months to develop a piece before submissions open.

Learn more and apply →

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