<p>as in "SAT Subject Test recommended." I can see how it goes either way. Maybe there's a bit of a motivation test here. If you really want to do this right, you do what we recommend.</p>
<p>Or maybe they say: We're smart enough to make a decision based on GPAS, essay, SATs, letter of recommendation. And we're smart enough to say what we mean.</p>
<p>Well, back in my pre-med days we had a saying....</p>
<p>
[quote]
Why did the pre-med cross the road?</p>
<p>It was required.</p>
<p>Why did the Pre-Med kill his little brother?</p>
<p>It was recommended.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>And who says physicians don't have a sense of humor! :)</p>
<p>Every doctor I know is pretty damn funny. It's just that we tend to see them most often under not so funny circumstances. A good sense of humor is critical. <-- get it? hardy har har!</p>
<p>Just do it. What do you have to lose?</p>
<p>Well, believe it or not, we're trying to take as much pressure off my son as possible. As we speak (or type), it's almost midnight EST and he's busy with his homework. I'd rather he'd get some sleep and the hell with HYPS. I went to a state school, then started achieving in grad school and my career has gone just fine.</p>
<p>"Required" means they won't review your app without that. "Recommended" means they will see your app worse without that than with that, when they review it.</p>
<p>SAT Subjects show that you are well rounded in additional subject areas, such as advanced math, literature, chemistry, etc. This would definitely help you a lot if you're applying to Tier 1 schools.</p>
<p>Think of it this way.</p>
<p>Going to high school is required. Getting good grades is optional. Having a few good ECs is completely optional.</p>
<p>Just because they'll accept your app without a certain component doesn't mean that it will look very good for you if you don't include it. Even when they say "completely optional, your chances won't be affected, etc.", they really just want to see how committed you are to the school. I guarantee that your chances WILL be affected if you don't.</p>
<p>Follow-up question: How many Subject Tests would be enough for a top 50 school?</p>
<p>^ It depends on how many they ask for. Check the specific websites of schools your son may be interested in to get a better estimate.
It's usually around 2 or 3, though.</p>
<p>Recommended means recommended. Which means if you have the SAT IIs, it can help your application, but if you don't you won't automatically be rejected. That said, if HYPS are really on your son's list, I'd read it as required if he wants to be a competitive applicant.</p>
<p>Most colleges require 2 or fewer. 2 are required at Y, 2 recommended at S, 3 required at H & P. That's really not that many, if your son is looking at those schools he should have had course work to be able to take 2-3 of these: USH, Math2, Physics, Chem, Bio, English, or FL. Math2 should be taken after PreCalc and the others can be done at the same time as taking the AP test with very little, if any, extra studying.</p>