780 on SAT II Chemistry

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

Hi,

I recently took a few subject tests, the majority of which I bombed due to a greater time crunch from school than expected and far less studying than I had hoped to do. To my surprise, however, I found that I didn’t bomb the SAT II Chemistry when I checked my scores this morning. I was very happy at first, until I checked the percentiles and saw that a 780 was only approximately 84th percentile (which is relatively exclusive, but not extremely exclusive/elite).

I was hoping to apply to some of the top schools that require or highly recommend subject tests, like Northwestern, Duke, and the Ivy Leagues. I know that a 780 is almost an 800, but there was definitely a curve and I’m not sure if being in the top 16% of test takers for this exam is good enough to make me look competitive for those schools. My other subject test score I’m sending is my Math Level 2, which was an 800.

Assuming I’m in another time crunch trying to finish all of the various college essays, and I’m applying to the Ivy Leagues mainly out of a “If you don’t try, you might never know if you would’ve gotten in” mentality, is it still worth it to apply in consideration of the 2 subject tests or am I no longer a super competitive applicant?

Other testing info that might help:

SAT highest composite: 2260
R: 740
M: 800
W: 720

SAT highest superscored: 2320
R: 740
M: 800
W: 780

AP:
Macro: 5
Chem: 5
Calc BC: 5
APUSH: 4

2

two comments:

a) you might attract more attention with a less “boring” title, because you’re not only asking about the chem test

b) what are your ec’s and stuff? those play just as big of a role.

However, I do think you are doing pretty good for duke and northwestern, not sure about the ivy’s tho… post more info!

3

There is no school that will penalize you for having a 780 instead of an 800, especially with an 800 math 2. I’m hoping you’re a junior bc if you’re a senior it’s a little late, but yeah you’re a good candidate for Duke and Northwestern. Be sure to apply to safeties.

4

A 780 never hurts your chances to any school, no matter on what curve it is riding!