Should I Include SAT Scores When I Transfer Colleges?

I'm thinking about transferring colleges, and I'm wondering if I should include my SAT scores. Are they important for transfer applications, or do colleges focus more on my college GPA? What if I did better in college than on the SAT?

The importance of SAT scores in transfer applications can vary widely depending on the specific policies of the colleges you're applying to. Some schools may not require or even accept SAT scores from transfer applicants, instead focusing primarily on your college academic performance. Others might request them, especially if you have completed less than a certain number of college credit hours.

Colleges often weigh your college GPA more heavily because it's typically a better indicator of your ability to handle college-level coursework than your SAT scores; after all, it includes actual grades from college classes. If you have done much better in your college courses than in your high school, it would be helpful to emphasize this improvement in your application.

However, if a school does request SAT scores and you choose not to provide them, you need to be prepared to provide a compelling reason why not, especially if the college is not test-optional. If the institution is test-optional and you feel that your SAT scores do not accurately reflect your academic potential (which could be the case if you performed better in college), then it might be advantageous not to submit them.

In summary, whether or not to submit SAT scores as a transfer applicant often depends on the specific requirements and policies of the institutions you're applying to and your individual academic record. It's critical to research the transfer admissions requirements at the colleges you're interested in to understand what they require from transfer applicants.