<p>@ArtsyGirl13: Boston College, Georgetown, Notre Dame…etc. She got into all of them without them. Will you tell me the schools that won’t even look at my application? No offense but I am not sure how reliable of a source you are being that you’re 16 years old…</p>
<p>@Jayce711 & RoseyJ: Clearly retesting is what I need to do but am I better off doing subject tests and having a complete application with sub-par regular SAT scores and potentially just as bad on the Subject Tests as they will be my first go at them? Or am I better off trying for the SAT a 2nd time having good scores and having an incomplete application without Subject Tests…</p>
<p>I have talked to admissions people regarding this at several schools I have visited (I am afraid that I too will have low test scores). It is a very logical course of action for the school, why should they spend all that time considering you when you did not make the effort to even submit a complete application. I also have a friend who was recently told by a school that although they had received everything else the school would not be reviewing the application until a specific test score came in.</p>
<p>@ArtsyGirl13: I definitely see what you are saying. It isn’t a matter of not trying in my case, it is a matter of not having enough time TO try. See where the predicament lies now? I either take the Subject Tests, only get to do them once and send in my scores now matter what they are along with my 1830 & 26…OR I don’t take them and try my hand at the SAT for a 2nd time where I know I could get above 2000.</p>
<p>Keeping calm, there is sometimes flexibility applying early with SAT subject test. Then, they often say whatever you took through junior year. Did your sister apply early? Sometimes hey say suggested. I just would not assume you don’t need them just because your sister did not.</p>
<p>I’m a bit confused with what you’re saying Murphy, specifically with, “Then, they often say whatever you took through junior year.”</p>
<p>I know just because my sister didn’t submit them doesn’t mean that I don’t. But being that I have only 1 opportunity to make my application the best it can be I want to be sure I am prepping & eventually taking the correct test to make that happen.</p>
<p>Here is my opinion (sorry, going to be blunt here).</p>
<p>You have NO shot at Williams or Harvard with those SAT scores, regardless of whether you are a recruited athlete. You are in the bottom 25% of scores (and the bottom of that in CR score). Forget the SAT II scores for the moment, you can’t get in with those scores. I also happen to agree with the posters that they also aren’t kidding around about things that are “required”. But it is sort of irrelevant, as the more fundamental test scores (SAT I & ACT) aren’t where they need to be for those schools. </p>
<p>Focus on bringing those up. Take both again and see where you are. Since most of the schools on your list superscore, you have a shot at getting a decent shot at some of your schools if you also have coach support. My advice is to forget Harvard and Williams, and focus on the rest of your list. See if you can find a couple of schools that are test optional and have downhill ski teams (too bad Bowdoin has only nordic, they would be a good choice otherwise). I also think you need another safety or two on your list. As far as I can see, only USD and Denver appear to be matches. All the test are reaches unless you get your test scores up.</p>
<p>Yes, I understand that at this point it is a time issue, but you must recognize that this is your fault at least to some extent due to poor planning in terms of standardized tests and when you will take them. I know several people (including myself) who will have taken both the SAT and ACT twice and three subject tests by the end of junior year, it is completely reasonable, you just have to plan ahead (instead you put yourself in a situation where you are stuck with your first not so great test scores and subject tests or no subject tests and possible better test scores).</p>
<p>Murphy is trying to say that some schools do not require subject tests when one applies early (through EA or ED) because the schools do not expect students to have taken the subject tests yet (though I do not know of any schools that are like this).</p>
<p>@intparent: The blunt honesty is so refreshingly appreciated. So you think I am better off trying to improve my SAT and submit my applications lacking Subject Tests?</p>
<p>@ArtsyGirl13: Planning ahead isn’t the issue. I have taken a Literature Subject Test, granted it was horrid because I hadn’t prepped at all, I did take it. I have taken the SAT once and I have taken the ACT 4 times. 6 Standardized tests you’d think would be enough right? Wrong. Still haven’t unlocked the secret to those tests. One day I can score a 31 on the ACT english, then go get 580’s on CR and W. Then I’ll Score a 670 in Math and a 23 on the ACT…</p>
<p>Taking the SAT once is a mistake, since that is the one test that is super scored, but that aside…</p>
<p>No offense but with four ACTs I doubt you will be able to increase your score at this point unless you did not know all the material at the time (which would only apply if you where in a lower level math previously) or were extremely underprepared and have now spent plenty of time studying (which I don’t think you did).</p>
<p>Absolutely go ahead and take the ACT again, but have a backup plan, because with your current scores (since there is not guarantee that you will improve) almost every single school on your list is a high reach/unrealistic.</p>
<p>I am not taking the ACT again. My predicament lies in whether I should use my final opportunity at standardized testing to: </p>
<ol>
<li><p>Take the SATI for a 2nd time and potentially lift my scores to around the 2000 mark. If this is done, then I will not have an opportunity to take Subject Tests before receiving decisions back from schools.</p></li>
<li><p>Take the SATII Subject Tests. Have a complete application, not know what my scores will be but I’ll be forced to send them in all the same. Satisfy having a complete application, yet I’ll be lacking with my fundamental ACT/SAT scores…</p></li>
</ol>
<p>It is one of these two options…no ACT.</p>
<p>As (to my knowledge) every person on this thread has said, pursue option 1. You are not going to get into any of those top schools with decent subject test scores and rather low SAT scores. The SAT is almost universally regarded as more important then the subject tests (both should be high, but a low SAT is killer, a low subject test is not).</p>
<p>@ArtsyGirl13: You kick ass. PM me if you ever need anything, chances, advice, whatever…if you want it.</p>
<p>Thank you to everyone else who has helped me solve…some of my issues. I’ll study my ass off and hopefully crush the January SAT…I’ll post results.</p>
<p>If you’re ever looking for me you can find me on the SAT Prep Forum of the site. :)</p>