<p>krug:</p>
<p>if you know with absolute certainty that your S will NOT apply to any colleges requiring subject tests, then I agree with fallenchemist. However, next January 1 is a looong way off, and plans and dreams change, and by skipping the May test cycle, your S will be automatically excluding himself from consideration at any college that requires/recommends a subject test. Stanford will consider ACT only, but strong ST’s are a plus. 'SC loves high test scores…</p>
<p>If he doesn’t take a couple of SAT 2’s, he rules out a large number of selective schools. With a 4.0GPA, why would he do that? Each one only lasts about an hour, and many kids don’t study at all for them. He should pick a couple of subjects that he’s current and pretty good at (though many schools are specific about which SAT 2’s are required). Math is one kids often pick, as they’re studying for the math SAT portion anyways.</p>
<p>CMU does offer merit aid, it’s just difficult to get.</p>
<p>I thought that he HAD to take SAT2 also for many schools but looking them up, I was surprised at how many stated that if you take ACT plus writing, that’s all that they want (Yale, Emory, Rice, Chicago, etc…). Most of the other Ivies (didn’t check them all) want SAT2 but no merit money there and I know we don’t qualify for need-based aid (we have a freshman so I am sure).</p>
<p>Having 2 in college may change the need-based situation…
Also, there are schools that don’t “require” but do “recommend” SAT IIs, and most of your son’s competition at those schools will have the scores…</p>
<p>P.S. Glad to hear that your kid is happy at WUSTL (so is mine ;))</p>
<p>Well, apparently there are more schools where the SAT II at least helps than I thought. Good to know. I guess we just happened to look at schools where it didn’t matter, but we sure looked into a lot of schools! I suppose in the end bluebayou and busdriver are right, better safe than sorry. Besides, he will do great for sure.</p>
<p>nngmm - krug and I both know how hard WUSTL scholarships are to get. Her D got one, mine didn’t. She is too polite to brag. I was thrilled for her D but it did ruin a potentially good roommate situation! LOL.</p>
<p>Another aspect is the potential benefit of using the SAT II for placement once she is accepted - my D will place in the top level of math based on her SAT II score for math. A few units she will not have to take in college.</p>
<p>I think he should take at least two SAT Subject Tests but not have the scores sent to any colleges immediately. If his scores are not as high as he hopes, he can just send his ACT scores to those colleges on his list that do not require SAT Subject Tests.</p>
<p>Time SAT II tests close to when a class finishes – for instance, my guys took the Physics test in May/June of the sophomore year because they were finishing up a year of high school physics. If they had waited until the following Nov, I doubt that the topic would have been that fresh in their minds. </p>
<p>My guys did Physics and Math at the end of the sophomore year. Then it was out of the way and gave them some flexibility to apply if they so wished. I think Princeton requires 3. Wesleyan requires 2.</p>