<p>I just finished my junior year and am interested in applying for engineering next fall. Do you think it would hurt my chances if i didn't take sat chem/physics and took sat biology instead? i'll be taking sat math 2 this nov...</p>
<p>Yes, it may very well hurt your chances. I was in a situation where I hadn’t had the opportunity to take a chem or physics class that covered the SAT II material, but when I talked to CMU, they were very insistent that I still take one. So I self-studied physics, and did pretty well in the end, and did make note on my app that I hadn’t had a class that prepared me for the test.</p>
<p>If you’ve taken any physics or chem, I would recommend trying to self study a little and take the subject test. I’m not sure it’s the end of the world, but they were pretty adamant about it, at least when I applied.</p>
<p>Yes, and luckily for you, there is still time to self study it. I didn’t see the requirement until I was applying (I took bio). So I am going in as an astrophysics major (ironically enough) and will hopefully transfer or double major in mechanical engineering (which is a very common thing.) So my advice as someone who went through your situation, self study physics. It will probably be easier.</p>
<p>If you don’t take it, your application is incomplete and it will not be reviewed. Period.</p>
<p>Take all application instructions at CMU and everywhere you apply very seriously. If something is missing, you’re basically an incomplete application – it’s not a chinese menu- you don’t get to substitute brocoli for bok choi! </p>
<p>Take the exam or don’t apply to CIT and waste your application fee, it’s that simple.
Sorry – that’s the harsh reality.</p>
<p>thanks for the advice. Does this policy apply to other universities as well? Would northwestern/rice/upenn/notre dame require sat physics/chem for admissions?</p>
<p>They do require it. Unfortunately my school taught us enough to cover maybe 1/11th of the physics so I had to try to learn it all on my own and only got a 590. I got a 680 on Math 1 because I was busy studying for physics and didn’t remember a lot of the geometry/trig stuff. I made it into civil engineering (taking cog sci though) so I really don’t think they care too much, but make sure you mention if there is a special circumstance. However, they do require it and it wouldn’t hurt to try to get a solid score.</p>
<p>Once in a blue moon, there are people who get accepted to such schools without taking it, but it’s pretty rare. I really urge you to give self-studying a try - I managed to pull a 700 on physics, thanks to the rather generous curve.</p>
<p>I noticed on CMU’s website that they require:</p>
<ol>
<li>Math I or II</li>
<li>Chemistry, Biology, or Physics</li>
</ol>
<p>I’ve already taken Math II and Chemistry, and plan to take both Biology E and M next year. Should I still take the SAT II Physics exam?</p>
<p>Assuming you got at least 600 on both, you’re fine. You probably don’t even need the biology one.</p>
<p>Lol, I’m pretty sure I got at least 790 on the Chemistry test and something around 750 on Math II, but final results are still pending. I’m taking the Bios partially because of my dad and partially because I want to see how well I can do after taking AP Bio next year (like I did for Chem this year)</p>