When do colleges require SAT scores during application process?

I'm preparing to apply for college next year and doing my SATs soon. I've heard different things about when to send in my SAT score. Can anyone enlighten me on when colleges generally require the SAT scores?

SAT scores are usually sent in during the application process. This timeframe is typically in the fall of your senior year in high school. The exact date, however, depends on the deadlines set by the colleges you are applying to and whether you are applying Early Decision, Early Action, or Regular Decision. These deadlines will vary between institutions but are generally:

1. Early Decision/Early Action: Deadlines typically fall between November 1st and November 15th. You'll want to send in your SAT scores as soon as they are available, ideally before these deadlines.

2. Regular Decision: The deadlines are usually in January or February. Again, send in your SAT scores as soon as they are available.

The SAT scores themselves take a few weeks (usually 10 days to 2 weeks) to process and send to colleges, so keep this in mind when you schedule your SAT test date. The important aspect is to ensure that your scores are received by the deadline, so plan accordingly.

It's important to note that experimental policy changes in response to Covid-19 have led many colleges to adopt test-optional policies, meaning SAT scores are not required. But as of the 2024-2025 application cycle, many notable schools are requiring all applicants to submit an SAT or ACT score.

Remember, though, that much can depend on the specific policies of each college, so do your research on each institution you're interested in. You'll find this information on the admission pages of the colleges' websites.