If they are: Applying to Engineering,
Math 2- 790 (I’d like to think absolutely)
Physics- 700 (??? Heard it’s not that impressive but still above average???)
Should I send both? Thanks for any feedback!
UVA highly recommends two subject tests. And yes, send them both.
@oldUVAgrad okay thank you! And even if the physics is only slightly better than the average which I believe hovers around 670?
If you read Dean J’s blog, she mentions subject tests and says they are just one component of your app. And, quite honestly, the legacy liaisons told our group that any scores that were 700 or over were “bragging” scores:). They said to send any scores over 600. If you were my child, I would say send them and don’t think about them anymore. Focus on your essays.
@oldUVAgrad thank you sooooo much you’ve been a huge help!
Remember to consult the Office of Admission website! Subject tests are simply “optional.” We dropped that “strongly recommended” language. It was causing too much worry among applicants. Send your scores.
If one has taken a Subject Test twice, and sends both scores to UVA, does UVA “superscore” and only look at the highest score on that subject? Daughter got a 690 on Math 1, but is retaking since she wasn’t happy with her score. Should she just send all the scores into UVA whenever they’re final? (BTW, a 690 in math sounds pretty darn good to me, but she thought she had an off day).
Dean J,
Can you please elaborate on what ‘optional’ will mean to those who read applications at UVA?
From a parent’s point of view, some of the language is very unclear. For example, ‘strongly recommended’ and ‘recommended’ at some colleges means, in effect, required. So, since UVA just switched to ‘optional’ can you expand upon what that means as a practical purpose?
Does that mean:
“If your SAT/ACT is great, you don’t need them”
“If you are borderline on what we require for admittance, high SAT subject scores might help”
"If you are applying to the super-competitive engineering school, it would be nice to see Chemistry and Math level II’
“If you are applying from ultra-competitive Northern VA, good SAT subject tests might give you a leg up”
“If you want to show a strength in your declared major, and the SAT doesn’t reflect that, the SAT subject test in that area would be great”
I may sound like a crazed helicopter parent, but I’m not. I’m like most other parents who want to make sure that their kid, who has worked hard throughout HS, does not inadvertently put him/herself at a disadvantage. We’d love to decrease the crazy amount of standardized testing that she MUST take.
But UVA, and all other colleges, must know that in the hyper-competitive admission process, ‘optional’ means that the strivers will still take the SAT subject tests-just in case. So it would be nice to know if they really matter, and if so, how. It would have been great if UVA would have dispensed with them, like they did with the ACT Writing requirement for 2017 applicants, if they really are not that important.
Lastly, I must say that your blog is incredibly helpful at deconstructing the process, and I thank you for that.
Optional means the student can send them if they want to.
Ask the student to answer these questions:
- Did you take the SAT Subject tests?
- Were you satisfied with your scores?
If the answer to both questions is yes, they should send their scores. If the answer to one of the questions is no, they should not send their scores.
We simplified the language because “strongly recommended” was getting translated into all sorts of different messages. Keep it simple! Optional means optional for everyone, regardless of their academic interest or where they live.
I should add that we don’t “require” certain minimums when it comes to testing. That doesn’t work with our process.