<p>Poppymom, If a school is SAT optional, you don’t want to submit scores if they’re not great since the only kids submitting scores would be those who feel the scores will work in their favor. It is my understanding that they don’t hold it against you but place slightly more weight on the rigor of the curriculum and the other components of the student’s app. The list of SAT optional schools is getting longer every year: [Optional</a> List | FairTest](<a href=“http://www.fairtest.org/university/optional]Optional”>ACT/SAT Optional List - Fairtest)</p>
<p>I think Earlham is right on. What is slightly stupid about the whole admissions process is that major success in life does not always depend on “balance,” and some of the best talents in fields might be totally “unbalanced.”</p>
<p>Applause for you, digmedia!!</p>
<p>I will add that once we’re getting away from the “top in everything” elite schools, even a fairly small step “down” to places like Macalester, and certainly a few more steps “down” to wonderful, wonderful schools like Lawrence, Hendrix and Earlham, there is DEFINITELY a place for a kid who naturally has more talent in one area than another (like practically everyone on this planet). </p>
<p>I’ve seen the wonderful expression on CC of “well-lopsided,” meaning that they aren’t great in everything, but great in something, and that’s what matters, and even what significantly appeals to schools.</p>
<p>Three cheers!!! For the schools, for the kids, and for all of us.</p>
<p>Opinions please: If a student’s SAT reasoning are higher than grades and rank, and also higher than SAT subject tests, and the college says that 3 SAT subject tests are “recommended”, should the student submit the SAT subject test scores?
The student is not a slacker! She actually works quite hard, but does better on ability tests than achievement tests, whether teacher-made or standardized. All subjects were taken at the highest (gifted, test-in) level. There are just a lot of geniuses at the school.</p>
<p>Oberlin is quite flexible in how to complete one’s quantitative requirements as seen here:</p>
<p>[Oberlin</a> College Course Catalog](<a href=“http://www.oberlin.edu/catalog/college/quantitative.html]Oberlin”>http://www.oberlin.edu/catalog/college/quantitative.html)</p>
<p>Though I took calc, I’ve known people who completed it by taking courses outside the math department ranging from computer science to economics.</p>