I applied for ED having not taken a single subject test (I waited until November so I could take Spanish listening). I took mine today and was planning to auto send the scores–I’d studied pretty extensively and was feeling good about the three tests I was planning to take. However–and I know this is ENTIRELY my fault, it was a silly mistake–I didn’t bring a CD player and thus could not take my listening test.
They weren’t prepared to administer Spanish w/o listening at that test center, so I took US History as my third test instead. I took APUSH last year and all that, but I’m completely in the dark as to what range that particular score will be in. Would you guys say to hold off on score reporting, or continue with auto-submit and keep my fingers crossed? I guess I’m hoping someone here has an idea of how subject test-less applicants are viewed in ED admissions.
My main test scores are good, but none of my teacher recs are STEM and I was hoping to show my ever-so-slight two-dimensionality with the Biology test.
Thank you so much if you took the time to read this caffeine-induced freakout!
It depends. Were you a good student in APUSH? Did you make a high score on the AP exam? I also took my subject tests today (Math 2 and Literature). I recommend if you are somewhat confident that you made a 700+ on both that you auto-submit them. It was only recently that most Ivies have changed their test policy that subject tests are recommended and not required so there isn’t very much empirical evidence (decision threads) as to what kind of bearing not submitting subject tests will have admission. Typically, if you’ve made a high SAT score, subject tests will not be as valuable. However, Brown does not include the little disclaimer that some ivies do that says “Not submitting subject tests will not disadvantage you in the admissions process.” Therefore, it may be safer to presume that you WILL be disadvantaged in the admissions process against a similar applicant who has submitted 700+ subject tests. Furthermore, even if Brown doesn’t guarantee they’ll receive the November subject tests in time, it is likely they will defer you, in which case they will certainly see your November subject tests. P.S. If Spanish is your native language/you have demonstrated you have a cultural background in Spanish, taking that subject test will not impress the admissions committee anyways.
@Rovo27 I did get a 5 on the APUSH exam/110 in the class, but the SAT was definitely a different beast–and harder, in my opinion–than the AP exam. I’m sure my Literature was 700 plus, and my Bio felt strong as well–the USH is the only wild card. They do guarantee that November SAT IIs will be received in time for ED consideration. Spanish is not at all my native language; I’ve learned it through a combination of self-study and a monthlong summer immersion. The idea with the subject test was to show that I didn’t just pay for a rich kid summerfest but actually got a great deal out of the program.