For Subject Tests, Does "Recommended" really mean "Required?"

Colleges and Universities A-Z Northwestern University
1

<p>Yes, so I wasn't planning on applying to Northwestern until I visited Chicagoland this Thanksgiving and realized how much I loved it.</p>

<p>I have not taken the SAT Subject tests for any subject yet. I signed up to take them in June but had a rugby tryout and missed, then took Math II and Lit in October but felt terrible and canceled the scores.</p>

<p>Question: Is not sending in SAT II scores essentially guaranteeing rejection? I may be able to take them standby this weekend but there's no guarantee so would I be better off not paying to apply w/o Subject test scores? If I did get to take them, I'd end up taking Lit and Latin and possibly Math I and would expect scores in the 750 range.</p>

<p>BTW here's the rest of my stats:
9/270 at a competitive Jesuit high school in Dallas
97/100 weighted GPA (weight is 5/100 added to honors and AP courses)
800 CR, 800 Writing, 750 Math
National Merit Semifinalist and National Hispanic Scholar
3 5s on APs thus far: US & World History and English Lit
Taking 6 AP tests this spring: Latin Lit, English Language, Calc BC, Bio, US Government, Macroeconomics
ECs: 3 Varsity Rugby Letters, JV Captain Junior Year; 3 yrs JV swimming; National Hispanic Institute--Participant (top 2 in state at extemporaneous speaking, elected Lt. Governor at LDZ Youth Legislative Session, MVP of Collegiate World Series college app seminar), Coach/Volunteer CounselorMain Junior Classical League--State Officer,Top 10 National finishers, State championship in Open Certamen, Local Club President; Quiz Bowl--team captain 2 yrs, regionals qualifier 2 yrs--going for 3rd; National Honor Society--Treasurer; Medical Society member; School Ambassador</p>

<p>I've been told I've got pretty good stats and plus I'm considered to be an underrepresented minority so that's a good shot. But without the SAT IIs would I be no chance?</p>

2

<p>Why does ANYBODY cancel their scores? If you don't like them, then don't send them to the colleges.</p>

<p>No, recommended means recommended. But if you know what colleges like, then their recommendations actually mean something. Everything else on your resume is good so that'll help you, but you shouldn't have canceled those scores or just taken them again.</p>

3

<p>...because when you send you SAT I scores, your UN-canceled SAT II's go along with them. </p>

<p>And to answer your question, recommended does not mean required. Do not take them at the risk of getting a low score (if you're not prepared). If you feel you can do well, then definitely try and take them. They can only help.</p>

4

<p>SAT II's have a much higher predictive capacity than the SAT I. However, given your other stats I don't think they'll be necessary.</p>

5

<p>Well, I cancelled the scores because I felt like the 600 or so I felt I earned on the test would have hurt my chances of admission at any university that requested subject tests. I was sick and vomiting the night before and hadn't really prepared adaquately enough so I cancelled the scores.</p>

<p>Other than not having SAT IIs, the only other thing that might be a hinderance is my grade trend...it's not horrendous...there aren't any Cs, but I got Bs in about half of my classes junior year (all AP/Honors though).. Will that hurt a lot?</p>

6

<p>not really. jesuit (i'm guessing that's where you go) is fairly competitive, so as long as you're ranked decently, it shouldn't matter.</p>

7

<p>i didnt take em and i was fine. and i think your current test scores can back up your standardized tests...and your other stats look good. i wouldnt sweat it. focus on the essays and short answers</p>