Applying REA Stanford without subject tests (accidentally took wrong test)

Colleges and Universities A-Z Stanford University
1

So, I took my subject tests this morning.

And then realized I did SAT Math 1 instead of Math 2.

Yup, I guess I was so stressed and/or out of it that, though I shaded in the answer sheet I was sitting Math 2, I answered the Math 1 questions. So forget my Math 1 performance even being relevant (I found it extremely easy if you’re wondering, not that that’s a surprise) - my score will basically be a 100/800 (under Math 2) because I was answering the wrong questions.

I did Physics in the same sitting, but I cancelled my scores because there’s no way I’m gonna send any college my terrible Math score, especially since I was planning on sending in blind to Stanford REA.

Anyways, now there’s no way for me to submit SAT IIs to Stanford. So I’m tasked with a choice: YOLO it or wait out many extra months for my regular choice. The logical choice is probably (okay, definitely) the latter, but as a guy who has been dreaming of Stanford and excited to apply early and find out my status as soon as possible, there’s an irresistible drive to choose the former.

Here’s why I feel this way:

  • In terms of Physics and Math, I’m in the topmost classes (IB HL Math and IB HL Physics under IB diploma), have always achieved a 7 (A+s), and have received school IB awards for my excellence in both subjects relative to the grade (for achieving top marks).
  • My IB grades in general are extremely strong and on par for Stanford (44/45 and 44/45 predicted), and I’ve kept that up the entire junior year. My sophomore year/freshman year (ended up with 8 A*s and an A on IGCSE) are similarly strong. My school does not calculate GPA or rank, but I’ve essentially been a straight A student to those American folks who don’t understand the IB system.
  • My academic awards and activities and (apparently as per my guidance counsellor) letter of recommendations and essays are extremely strong for a top school, with a demonstrated interest in Stanford. My academic awards and activities are definitely, and not to brag, in the top of the applicant pool with pretty significant international recognition and recognition from major companies, involvement in school, efforts outside of school, and a continued, centralized passion since I started in grade 6. Needless to say, I think if there’s one thing that would push Stanford to accept me, if they choose to do so, is my activities and essays if what my guidance counsellor says is accurate.
  • My guidance counsellor told me at school that my application is so strong otherwise that to submit without subject tests.

Here’s what’s holding me back:

  • I’m an international student. HOWEVER, my (private international) school is very reputable and around 20-30 people get accepted HYPSM each year. Stanford has accepted 3 each year in the recent ones. They understand the rigor of the IB Diploma system and my high school as well.
  • My ACT score is not as high as it could be (33). Was planning on retaking but I got really lazy with standardized testing, put everything off and then just decided to drop it when school gave me crazy EE/IA deadlines in September this year. Am retaking in December. I understand Stanford looks more at activities and personality in essays, but at the same time the lack of both SAT subject test scores and a relatively high (again, I think 33 is excellent but in terms of Stanford applicant pool it’s 50th percentile I think?) score could hurt me.
  • All other parts of my application are complete.

Ah, the troubles of the college application process. Really, it’s my fault for leaving standardized testing so late and being too stressed out for it to let this happen. I was scoring 800 on both tests nearing the test date.

Would it be okay to explain my situation in the additional information? It may come off negatively, but hey - we all make stupid mistakes from time to time. I think I’ve displayed intellectual vitality throughout my efforts in my passion outside of school and academic excellence in school as well.

Would not sitting subject tests be really disadvantageous for Stanford? It’s “recommended not required/no disadvantage if you don’t take them” but, well, we all know what that means!

My current plan is to apply REA, sit November (and not make the mistake haha), and if the scores don’t come in time for Stanford then request to move to RD (which you can do by December 1/December 2).

Any advice? Am I crazy applying early?

Thanks,

2

When you realized you answered math 1 questions, in time to decide to cancel physics, Why didn’t you just change the shading to math 1 from math 2 (sorry if I’ve misinterpreted the scenario).
I think you can still apply early if you retake the subject tests in November. Or that’s not an option ?

3

The 33 is fine. You could have called College Board and said you took Math I instead of Math II… why would you cancel?

If you explain yourself in the additional information section with this information, you’ll seem very impetuous.

4

Explaining will get your file thrown out. Apply regular time frame and take the tests correctly.

5

I agree with your guidance counselor. If your ECs and academic awards are as outstanding as you claim, I think they will outweigh the subject II tests. For students reasonably good in math, the Math 2 test is fairly easy. I am sure the admissions officers know this.

Also keep in mind any opinions you get on a message board are guesses at best about what the admissions officer is thinking. Good luck.

6

There is nothing to explain other than you were careless, did not consider the school’s recommendations, and took the wrong test. Take the correct test and apply RD. Stanford has under a 5% acceptance rate and the university cannot accept most of the highly qualified applicants who take and do well on the recommended tests.

7

I realized after the test while talking to my friends. November is probably too late (meaning, it most likely won’t come in time). Thanks for the input!

8

Hm. In retrospect, that would have been a wise choice. However, I sincerely doubted that the CollegeBoard would change the information on their end because of a mistake on my part. Gee, I’ve been making some rash decisions lately; probably need some time to take a deep breath with this whole college application process and come to rational terms, lol.

9

That is correct - I was careless. There is nothing more to explain nor do I intend to make any excuse. I agree with the feedback that it won’t look good on my part to mention it in my application. When you say that I did not consider the school’s recommendation, I assume you are referring to the recommendation to do standardized testing in junior yea - which I take full responsibility for. And yea, it really does make most logical sense to apply RD. It seems there are some differing opinions here, but it’s good input for me to consider before I talk to my guidance counsellor at school and make a final choice. Thank you!

10

Apply early. Take Nov test. If they don’t come in in time then decide whether to switch to RD. It would be helpful to have the phys score. And never ever send scores automatically unless you are very hard up on the deadline. Had you not done that you wouldn’t have this problem of having scuttled both tests.

11

But early admission is out Dec 15th. There is basically no way he could apply early AND take the Nov tests, right? There is only a 6 week window for them to look at early applicants, which seems VERy short. I agree with the above posts, don’t take chances – apply regular admission and have everything together in a beautiful package.

12

Depends on the college. Some consider November scores, others don’t.The websites usually state which is the last testing date that will be considered.

13

For future reference, if you elect not to take a subject test on a given day and leave it blank, I’m pretty sure it doesn’t show up on your testing history. I am also fairly certain that if you change your mind about which subject tests you wish to take on the day of the test, that the CB will accept that, as long as you fill out the forms correctly on the day of the test. Is it too late to call the college board on Monday, explain your mistake, and see if they will score your Math I and reinstate your physics test? It seems counterproductive to cancel the physics score and the Math I certainly won’t hurt you, even if you need Math II for best consideration for admission.

14

Hi mamadefamilia, I will call CB on Monday. The reason I canceled the scores was not because I took Math I; I cancelled it because I answered Math I questions even though I specified Math II as the test I was sitting on the answer sheet. Thus, my score will show up as Math II and it will be extremely low (like, 100/800) as my answers are for different questions (Math I). Maybe if I explained my situation to colleges they would understand and not consider that insanely low score?

15

Well, the minimum score is 200, so that’s unlikely.

I see no way that you can explain this without you being viewed in an unflattering light. I would still look to see if you can uncancel to at least get your physics score. Stanford, and most other colleges, do not require all Subject scores to be sent, so just don’t send the math score (assuming the CB uncancels).

Correct on both counts.

16

Hi skieurope, thanks! What about schools that do require all of them (eg. Cornell?) Obviously it’s going to look poorly on my part. What I’m trying to say is that my score will be absurdly low (probably like 350-400).