Current Wisdom on SAT Scores?

[GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl]

ODS is working on college apps.  Several schools he is interested in are "SAT Score Optional".  ODS is very bright and very motivated but is not a strong academic performer on paper because of dyslexia and a hearing issue (he is a stronger experiential learner and is applying to schools that use that approach).  His SAT scores are not strong.  They fall in the average range of the most recent admitted classes at the schools he is interested in, though.  His GPA is not strong -- but not from lack of effort as duly noted by all of his high school teachers.

So, what say you wise and wonderful YMers -- should he submit the SAT scores or not?  Since they fall in the average range -- will they bolster his weakish GPA or serve only to demonstrate that he is not a strong student?

Any advice?  


(He is being recruited for college lacrosse, but since several of the schools are DIII, he still needs to be accepted according to the school's Admission standards.) 

[tloonya]

How about to do both? Those schools where score is optional - apply without and those where mandatory - submit.
I am pretty sure he will get one way or another but he will be very happy if school with mandatory score will welcome him.

Good luck! Don't miss FAFSA deadline. 

[hoops902]

If I'm reading this right, his SAT is average, his GPA is likely below average.  I'd certainly submit the SAT. 

If you're concerned an average SAT is only going to confirm he isn't a strong student, it's not as if they're going to see his poor GPA and decide on their own that in the absence of any SAT score he must be an excellent student.  If he is doing something to explain away the poor GPA, that same explanation would also account for his only average SAT (i.e., it's not as if he's going to claim to be an amazing student who had one down semester due to a tragic life event which killed his GPA, but where an average SAT would seem to contradict that reasoning by showing even outside of that he is only average).

Particularly since his SATs fall in the average range of admitted students, clearly students with those scores aren't outright rejected.  I see it only as a positive to submit given that we know those scores won't keep him out, and indeed might be just the ticket to get him in.

The other option, if he's being recruited, have him talk to the coaches.  They can certainly find out for him if his GPA and SAT would be better than his GPA alone.  I'm betting it almost certainly would.

[haapai]

I have no current wisdom, but it sounds to me that omitting the SAT scores would lead the schools to surmise that the omitted were worse than they actually were.