Help! Importance of SAT 2 Subject Tests for USC freshman admissions?

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Southern California
1

<p>I've had a lot of conflicts with taking my SATs (had to go to ER, hurricane, scores cancelled - out of my control, etc) and so I only have a 2090 regular SAT, and I'm waiting on my scores for some subject tests I took but I <em>know</em> they will be bad so I might not send them in. I'm a senior and my last chance for SATs is in December. I also signed up for the ACT 1st time December. I already marked the SAT December registration as regular SAT I. I really believe I can get a 2200+ superscore if I do it but then I lack SAT IIs. I can still change the registration if i pay an extra $25. </p>

<p>The info I get for USC says that Subject Tests are optional, but recommended. USC's website says:</p>

<p>We only require SAT Subject tests from first-year applicants who do not attend a regionally accredited high school (which I do)..... For all other applicants, these exams are optional, but recommended. We find them helpful in evaluating applications for merit scholarships.</p>

<p>I'm not applying for merit scholarships. Even so, does "recommended" mean that they really want to see good Subject Test scores? (Take into account that I might get good ACT scores as well) Besides my potential for doing well on standardized tests (which I usually do) I have a 3.6 gpa and good but by CC's standards, mediocre ECs.</p>

<p>Thoughts on what I should do?</p>

2

<p>My D didn’t take any Subject tests and is currently a freshman, she also received a merit scholarship and had a 2050 on the SAT. USC uses a holistic approach, they look at the person as a whole. Their are other things my D did that made her stand out. 3.99uw/4.51w gpa, valedictorian, earned AA from CC before high school graduation, but only took two or three AP classes. She also had very strong ECs.</p>

<p>So my non-professional opinion, take the SAT, prep for it as much as you can, and and bring that score up. And then write the best essays you can, so that USC can’t help but see you as a perfect fit for their upcoming freshman class.</p>