<p>The title says it all.
I plan to take five SAT II's.<br>
3x sciences, 1x math2, 1x foreign language.
I am almost certain that I can 750+ all three sciences.<br>
I am not at all sure about Math 2c, since I have never seen the format before. I plan to study it this summer.<br>
I am Most certain that I will 800 the foreign language test.
Yes, I am pretty confident =P. (sorry if I seem to be boisterous..)
My question is, would colleges even take a look at ALL of the test scores? I have heard that most of the top 25 colleges only take the best 2-3 of the tests. So is it necessary that I take all 5?</p>
<p>I don't feel like taking unnecessary tests and pay collegeboard at the same time.
Any feedback will be greatly appreciated!</p>
<p>Three strong scores will work for everywhere, but the answer is yes, they will look at 5 (and perhaps question if you have nothing better to do with your Saturday mornings - LOL). But, unless you are applying to an engineering programs (or MIT/CalTech), highly selective colleges would much rather see strong scores in different disciplines, so add in a humanities or lit score if you can. (Foreign language will count if it is not spoken at home.)</p>
<p>i mainly took 2 sciences. I took Bio and somehow got a 96 percentile even tho im not a bio student.. (i took comp sci. in lieu of it). Could that have impressed them?</p>
<p>yeah..esp. if its Chinese or Korean--man there are so many 800s out there from native speakers. What is the percentile for 800? I know it's in the 60s somewhere, which is insane.</p>
<p>Three work fine, but... take a look at the Common App. Take a look at most college apps. They provide room for 4 to 6 test scores, depending on the app. Most honest adcoms would say, when the doors were shut and no one was on record, that the more - and the higher - nationally normed objective achievement (not aptitude) data you can show them, the better it is for you. This holds particularly true at selective schools. Localized GPA's, class ranks, and gameable tests like the SAT are fine. But, like AP tests, SAT II tests at least tell the story of someone's ability relative to a known curricular goal. They don't publicize this for two reasons. 1 - no one wants to further empower the College Board. 2 - tests cost money, and not all high school kids can afford to take tests ad nauseum. Six great SAT II's may get you into the first pool - "Is this kid a qualified academic candidate", and it may get you into the second pool - "is this kid an exceptional academic", but they can't get you into the final pool - "Accept". That is a function of "do we need this kid's strengths in next year's class". You are who you are, and they need what they need. 6x800's can't change that. Good luck</p>
<p>
[quote]
Most honest adcoms would say, when the doors were shut and no one was on record, that the more - and the higher - nationally normed objective achievement (not aptitude) data you can show them, the better it is for you. This holds particularly true at selective schools.
[/quote]
do you have evidence to back this up or you're just assuming?</p>
<p>thank you all So very much.
The above comments were wonderful.</p>
<p>One more question though :D
What do you recommend for a pre-med applicant?
I constantly hear mixed messages about the advantages of taking all three science courses + above, or the advantage of being an all around student. Although I am managing a decent grade in my AP lang, I am not the biggest fan of literature..
Thanks!</p>
<p>
[quote]
objective. direct 3 on 1 conversation with ex head of admissions at very selective school.
[/quote]
point taken. but OP asks if it's "nescessary" to take 5. in which case i'd say no, since s/he'd have passed the
[quote]
"Is this kid a qualified academic candidate"
[/quote]
and
[quote]
"is this kid an exceptional academic"
[/quote]
tests, according to your conversation with an ex-head of admissions.</p>
<p>I have to agree with a post before that some colleges will wonder what you are doing wasting time taking tests as opposed to branching out. Personally I took three SAT II's in math iic, chemistry, and spanish and i turned out fine.</p>
<p>But I like scieeeenceee
Everything else is sooo boring..
I took non-science classes during summer schools just so I woudn't have to take it my junior and senior year.
By my senior year, I will have 9 or 10 points on (depending on how my schedule works out) science courses.
I will only have 4 english, 4 history and 5 math courses.
Would taking the three science, language, math tests show the adcoms that I am a science-oriented student?
Or would they just look at it and go "Wow this kid's so narrow minded"?</p>