I only recently gained the desire, or really, courage, to apply to Stanford as a high reach school. All of the other colleges I have applied to are public schools that don’t require SAT II subject tests, so I never took them. However, it is clear that Stanford highly encourages them, even though they aren’t explicitly required. The purpose of those tests is for one to showcase his/her strengths in individual subjects, and I get the feeling that AP exams suggest strengths in a similar fashion. Even if I report my AP scores, will a lack of SAT II subject tests reduce my chances of admission entirely?
It depends. How many APs did you take? Did you get 4+ on most/all? If you have a good mix of humanities/STEM classes, you should be fine without SATIIs. They just help verify your success in classes, and give an extra data point about strengths/weaknesses.
@memememe00 Last year I got a 4 on chemistry and a 5 on statistics. This year I am taking calc BC, physics C, computer science A, and macroeconomics. I don’t have scores for those, of course. I’m applying for computer science.
Did you have the option to take more than 2 APs Junior year? If you didn’t then those two will be fine, since it’s the most rigorous curriculum at your school. If they offered more but you chose not to take them…
You’re really asking two separate questions: “Does Stanford want AP’s?” and “Will the lack of Subject Tests hurt me?”
AP courses, and their corresponding exams, count toward course rigor. Subject Test scores count toward standardized testing. So will the lack od Subject Tests hurt you? Maybe. Maybe not. Will admissions overlook your lack of Subjects Tests simple because you have AP scores? No. One should assume that many applicants have both AP scores and Subject Tests.
@skieurope but the AP exams are standardized tests, in a sense. Everyone takes the same one so there is no room for school bias.
There is room for school bias. Better school -> better teachers -> better AP results. I’d say that if you’re considered high-achieving in your specific school based on course rigor, you’re fine.
SAT subject tests would be beneficial, but shouldn’t hurt you too much (especially if you come from a low-resource/underrepresented school).
If Stanford, or any other college, considered AP exams in lieu of Subject Tests, they would say so. Stanford does not say so, so one should assume they don’t regardless of one’s personal opinions. So again, the question comes down to “Will the lack of Subject Tests hurt?” It might. or it might not.
There’s a whole thread on the topic.
http://talk.qa.collegeconfidential.com/college-admissions/2027962-sat-subject-tests-are-not-truly-optional-for-middle-upper-middle-class-applicants-at-elite-colleges-p1.html