Test optional or TO means you get to decide whether you want to submit your SAT or ACT scores to a school in particular. If you feel that your scores do not represent you and decide not to submit them, there's is absolutely no disadvantage in doing so. Instead, your application will be reviewed with other components such as grades, class rank, activities outside of school, volunteer work, etc. However, if you feel that your scores represent you, absolutely submit them! TO does not jeopardize you if you don't submit them but for a student who does, it does give them an added edge in the application. For more information on what applying TO entails, be sure to view this article:
