ACT/SAT Question

Colleges and Universities A-Z Northwestern University
1

<p>Hi, I'm thinking about applying to NU, but I'm a bit confused as to the standardized testing requirements.</p>

<p>I know that NU requires EITHER the ACT or the SAT. The ACT has always been my stronger point (I got a 33), but does NU require any SAT Subject Tests? If they don't, do they increase your chances if you submit them anyways? I didn't do too well on the them when I took the Math II and the Chemistry tests, so I'm a bit apprehensive to send them to NU.</p>

<p>Thanks for the help!</p>

2

<p>Here’s the info from NU’s website:</p>

<p>Does Northwestern require results from SAT Subject Tests?</p>

<p>Northwestern recommends that all applicants take two SAT Subject Tests but requires scores from SAT Subject Tests only for applicants to the Honors Program in Medical Education (HPME), the Integrated Science Program (ISP), and applicants who have been home-schooled. See the chart below for specific exam requirements for these special programs.</p>

<p>Required SAT Subject Test
In addition to SAT Reasoning Test or ACT with writing results, the following SAT Subject Tests are required of freshmen applicants who fall into these categories:
HPME Chemistry and Math Level 2
ISP Chemistry, Physics and Math Level 2
Home-schooled Math Level 1 or 2, plus two other SAT Subject Tests of the applicant’s choice from different areas (i.e. not two science or two foreign language or two history, etc.)</p>

<p>[The</a> SAT, ACT, and Recommended Exams FAQs: Office of Undergraduate Admission - Northwestern University](<a href=“http://www.ugadm.northwestern.edu/apply/frequently-asked-questions-and-resources/the-sat-act-and-recommended-exams-faqs.html#5]The”>http://www.ugadm.northwestern.edu/apply/frequently-asked-questions-and-resources/the-sat-act-and-recommended-exams-faqs.html#5)</p>

<p>So unless you’re home schooled, applying to the HPME or ISP programs, SAT II tests are recommended but not required. I’d recommend not sending the subject scores unless they are very good and can only help. If you decide to apply you may want to contact the admissions office and see what they suggest for your particular situation.</p>

3

<p>What do you consider doing well? Anything over 700 is worth sending in IMHO.</p>

4

<p>I agree that a 700 is a good score and would not hurt an application. </p>

<p>Per this chart: <a href=“http://professionals.collegeboard.com/profdownload/SAT-Subject-Test-Percentile-Ranks-2009.pdf[/url]”>http://professionals.collegeboard.com/profdownload/SAT-Subject-Test-Percentile-Ranks-2009.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>a 700 on math II is at the 63 percentile and at the 64 pecentile for chemistry.</p>

5

<p>And here is the link to last year’s.</p>

<p><a href=“http://professionals.collegeboard.com/profdownload/2010-sat-subject-test-percentile-ranks.pdf[/url]”>http://professionals.collegeboard.com/profdownload/2010-sat-subject-test-percentile-ranks.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;