I’m in the middle of applying to Columbia, Cornell, USC, UC Berkeley, UCLA, UC San Diego, UC Irvine, and UC Santa Barbara. I’m applying as a Civil Engineering major at all schools except for UCSD (Structural Engineering) and UCLA and UCSB (Mathematics).
On my subject tests, my highest scores were 740 on Math II and 610 on Physics. My math score is relatively decent (57th percentile) but I’m worried that my Physics score (29th percentile) will bring down my chances since I’m applying for engineering at most schools and I also got a 2 on my AP Physics 1 exam.
My ACT is a 32 and my overall GPA is 4.2. Will that make up for my poor subject test scores? Or will the scores not affect my chances in a negative way?
Same situation. 740 math II and 630 Physics (ughhh). Not sure what to do. One December SAT left. Subject tests or repeat regular SAT to get in the zone? I’m applying to Columbia, Cornell, Princeton, Dartmouth, and Penn. Reg SAT 1480 GPA 3.9/4.5. Maybe we’ll be classmates!
While the subject tests are the least important of the academic factors, they are still important enough. Most schools (except MIT or Caltech) want to see scores in the 700+ range. So Math 2 is fine. I suggest taking Physics and another science (Chemistry or Biology) that either of you might be stronger in. And get a good prep book and takes lots of practice tests. That’s how my DS raised his scores. And don’t leave any answers blank. If you’re smart enough to do decent on these tests, leaving blank a response is a mistake. You’ll usually be able to eliminate a couple choices.
I believe the common wisdom on here is that Reg SAT > Subject SAT. Since you are below the 50th percentile on the Reg SAT, you should pick that one. This assumes that you can actually have a meaningful improvement on the test.
Showing colleges that u mastered subjects in ur chosen fields will definitely strengthen ur application significantly. I suggest retaking it (if possible).
I think the 32 ACT puts you in a good position, but raising that to a 34, for example, would make your application stronger than a pair of 800’s on your SAT subject tests. So why not take the December ACT and December SAT 2s?
@Columbia-Yale@84stag I’ve already taken the subject tests and the ACT twice and would rather just focus on writing the essays for the schools. Plus, I don’t think my mom wants to pay for me to take physics again, as she was already against me taking it twice. Should I at least submit the physics subject test to the UCs since they don’t require it in the first place?
They always suggest submitting an SAT subject test score if you think it strengthens your application. If it doesnt strengthen, it doesnt ruin it neither.
Unless you’re hooked (athlete, legacy, URM, first-gen, a woman for stem, large donor parents), you’re going to have to improve all those scores to be competitive in engineering. I would focus on the SAT/ACTs over SAT2s, you’ll need 1550/34 to be seriously considered.
SAT2s - I wouldn’t submit either, definitely not the Physics as others have suggested if you don’t improve them. Your competition for these schools will have 800s across the board.
84stag’s advice is the best one, if there’s still time for registration (assuming it would be late registration now), take the ACT and SAT2s in December, and work on practice tests till then.
Please have some matches and safeties in there, the only match I saw was Irvine, add in RPI, WPI, in the northeast, and CSU-SLO, Washington, in the west.
I am a woman, so would that help me for engineering?
I’m done taking the SAT2 and ACT, as my mom doesn’t want to pay for the late registration fee. Plus, I was planning to focus my time on writing strong essays instead of time that would be spent studying for the SAT2/ACT, since I’ve heard that the essays can play a huge role.
For the UCs I’ve heard that I should still submit the SAT2s since they won’t hurt me?
Also, I’ve already been accepted into the Colorado School of Mines, so that is my safety school. I’ve also applied for Cal Poly SLO.
@DennisYHi Actually, UC’s do want Math II scores for engineering majors. And @theloniusmonk, Cal Poly engineering is very competitive these days, although Civil is less so than Mechanical.
I think you need to focus on your essays and other parts of your application, of course. And I know that there’s not much time before the December tests, but to give yourself the best chance, just take the ACT again and take a couple of science SAT subject tests. Who knows, you might to better. Then, for the rest of the month, you can focus on your applications.
I know you said your mother won’t pay for the late registrations on those exams, but you’re already spending lots of $$ on application fees. Unfortunately, applying for college is expensive. I’d try speaking to her again.
Ok good to see you have safeties, and you already got in to one, so you’re in good shape there. Being a woman will help with STEM for sure, esp engineering as the male to female ratio is 3-1. And your ACT of 32 puts you in the middle of the 25%-75%, which is typically 31-34 at your reach schools. I would just submit the Math 2 to answer your original question. Good luck!