I have good EC’s, a 4.0 GPA, and a 36 ACT.
I got an 800 on the SAT II math 2, but a 730 on the SAT II chemistry. A 730 is just about in the 66th percentile, so it’s very low for Harvard.
My question is, should I even report the SAT chem? The site says two are reccomended. So would it hurt me more if I just submit one subject test, despite Harvard asking for two?
So if you are Harvard, are you going to admit the 4.0/36 who submitted 2 SAT2 tests or the person who only submitted 1? 730 is in the 66th percentile of people who took the test, which is a group of people that like chemistry.
^^Exactly. You’re going to be competing against kids (including me) with 36 ACT, 4.0 GPA, and 800 on 2 (or more) subject tests. Harvard won’t choose you over me based on those stats. Your best chance is to take SAT II Chem again, or take some other subject test, and strive for a higher score.
Did you take the SAT Chem after 2 years of chem (first year, plus AP) or after only one? If you only had one year, you are comparing yourself to many peopel who had 2, so your score is not as bad as you think.
I’ll go the opposite way. With your 4.0 and 36, your SAT2s aren’t an issue because you’ve already surpassed every conceivable academic standard Harvard (or any other school) uses. Use the time to reflect on your essays. Congrats and good luck.
Moot point. A score is a score is a score. Whether s/he got a score based upon 1 year of chem or 2 years of chem is irrelevant, Nobody will ask (or care) what the preparation was.
Regardless, I’m with @T26E4 on this one. There is so much more that the AO’s at Harvard are looking for than simply Subject Test scores. I’d spend the on the essays. I seriously doubt that an identical application would be rejected with a 730 and accepted with an 800.
Harvard isn’t going to be choosing either of you based on your stats. Both of you have perfectly wonderful stats, but all that will get you is attention to your transcript quality, ECs, essays, recommendations, and other relevant personal factors.
The really narrow question here is – acknowledging that it probably hardly makes any difference – is the OP better off applying with (a) two SAT IIs, including one less-than-brilliant score, (b) one SAT II only, with a top score, or (c) no SAT IIs? I think it’s pretty easy to conclude that (b) is the worst choice: you took SAT IIs, and are reporting only one score, so there must be a terrible problem with the other. It’s completely unlikely that you took only one test. I also think (a) is a little better than (c).
Studying for a week over the summer and then taking it in October wouldn’t kill you. I’d submit two tests >750 if possible. It would look somewhat weird to just submit one.
P.S. Did you take physics? It’s pretty easy to get an 800 on.