<p>I understand that 2 or 3 SAT Subject Tests are "Recommended" for NW admissions. Should I interprete that "recomended" as "required". If a student does not take any SATs but only ACT, what is the chance she may get in?</p>
<p>You definitely should take SAT subject tests.
The only reason why NU wants to make it “optional” is to increase the number of applications to the school, which means more $$, and to decrease the acceptance rate, making the school seem “more selective.”</p>
<p>^</p>
<p>Have to disagree. The purpose of SAT 2 “recommended” testing is to allow colleges to see standardized results for students coming from unfamiliar HS’s (e.g. small rural, new, poor performing with few applicants to top tiers, etc.). If you’re applying from a school with a track record at NU (i.e. the vast majority of HS’s nationally) they will know how to interpret your GPA and class selection. No harm in taking SAT 2’s and reporting them if you do well. But by no means “required.”</p>
<p>This is not opinion on my part, by the way. Dean of Admissions Watson, a very straight-shooting guy, has clearly stated this in open meetings.</p>
<p>I did not submit SAT IIs to Northwestern when I applied, but I did submit both ACT and SAT scores. Just throwing that in – it <em>can</em> happen that a student is admitted without SAT IIs.</p>
<p>If you are contemplating applying to one of the selective programs at NU (e.g. Integrated Science Program) know that some of these require specific SAT II tests.</p>
<p>I go to a really small, unknown school in northern Illinois. A few of my classmates have applied to Northwestern, and a few attend, but my school is pretty low-performing in comparison to a lot of the better schools in this area (ie, Stevenson and New Trier). I took SAT IIs and did somewhat poorly, but my college advisor told me to submit them anyway. It may show a little bit of interest and adhesion to the schools “recommendations,” but I feel like sending them may have decreased my chances.</p>