I applied to all the ivy’s except columbia. I realize that most of them (all but Yale, Brown, and Cornell I believe) recommend two subject tests. However, I have not taken any. Would I be at a disadvantage in the admissions process? My ACT is not stellar (32C).
If so, I would have to take them January but I never indicated on the common app that I am taking them. Should I take them? I haven’t really studied at all for them but I will have a lot of time in the next few weeks to do so. Also what are the deadlines to submit the scores? I understand they would accept January SAT’s but I would like to know how I did before submitting.
Advice?
I wouldn’t worry too much about subject tests. A bigger question, to me, is why an applicant would apply to Princeton, Harvard, Dartmouth, Brown, Cornell, Penn, and Yale? It seems like an odd mix. What is the common thread that draws you to them, aside from them being in the same athletic conference?
@sherpa I would be a walk-on athlete so I would like to play for an ivy league team. Playing in this conference is most valuable for me. Also each school has its own benefits.
Have you had a conversation (email, phone or in-person) with a coach at one of those schools? Has that coach told you that if you are accepted based on academics, you can walk on to the team? Or, is this just wishful thinking on your part?
FWIW: When an applicant is not applying as a recruited athlete, a student’s participation in athletics is just another EC – and no more important than another student’s involvement in Speech & Debate, Music, Drama, Art, Student Council, Newspaper etc. In other words, your participation in athletics is not going to help you get admitted to a school.
In terms of your question, this from Inside Higher Ed: https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2010/08/09/subject
So, based on that statement, I would think that when a student doesn’t submit SAT Subject Test scores, Admissions looks closely at a student’s SAT writing test. If a student’s writing score is strong enough, then their application should not be disadvantaged.
@gibby I’ve talked to all the coaches (except harvard,princeton); However, I am sure those schools would take me if I did get accepted on my own miraculously. I am not just the usual cc poster who thinks they are good enough to play. My sport has few spots and I missed being supported by one or two people.
I understand the athletics support issue as I have been told by the coaches and how it is just an ec if they don’t support you. However, I applied to almost all of them in case one of their international recruits don’t end up getting in since they don’t have the best grades. If they don’t get in they will support mine. I would not know about my status as a supported athlete until likely letters are sent out. Usually a recruited athlete doesn’t need subject tests but as of right now I am applying on my own.
I have coaches supporting me in d3 schools and they know of my situation in case I don’t get into one of these schools. Could have went D1 but academics are a priority for me.
To your second point. I have only taken the ACT. My writing score is 11/12. I know the SAT changed their test and removed the writing section so I am not sure if the ACT writing in their minds are of equal relevance to their system. Please let me know if this will be ample for the requirement.
However, I know the chances to these schools are very slim. I do have legacy at two of the schools and did do a lot of volunteer work. I know this is not much for ec’s.
@gibby is asking great questions re: conversations with coaches.
I find this curious. For one thing, the odds of successfully walking on will vary greatly between many of these schools in almost all sports. Since the conference is very strong in some sports and weaker in others, and the fact that there’s a huge disparity in team strength within the conference in most sports, the idea of a nonrecruited athlete finding each these various schools “most valuable” is perplexing.
My kids were both NCAA athletes, but both chose colleges over conferences, Ivy and ACC in their cases.
Have you considered the Patriot League?
@sherpa Read my post above^. I have talked to a majority of the ivy’s coaches and they are fine with me walking on. I had offers from BU, bucknell, colgate and Lehigh but declined as it has always been a dream/goal of mine to play for an ivy league team. Please don’t mock me but it really has been which is why I am applying on my own. Also if you read my post above, you will see if one of the international supported athletes don’t get a likely letter and admissions does not take them, I will be most likely given a spot according to some of the coaches. My level is not a drop off from the teams, it is that they have so few spots for my sport and now tend to recruit internationally which makes it difficult for athletes like me to gain support.
Yes, they changed the test and made the writing section optional. HYP et al still require the SAT with writing - so students applying to those schools must still take the SAT Writing section, which Harvard seems to use when students do not submit SAT Subject Test Scores.
That’s a great score, so it should mitigate not having SAT Subject test scores.
@gibby ok thanks for getting back to me. Now thinking about it, I have nothing to lost if I do take them as I would not have to submit them if I do poorly plus I believe all those schools do score choice for subject tests I believe. Thanks for your help again
@zxcvbnm1216 - I’m sorry you feel I was mocking you as that wasn’t my intent.
As you probably surmised, I typed my reply #7 as you were posting #6, and your post does clarify things.
I know quite a bit about Ivy athletic recruiting. If you’d like please feel free to PM me your sport and any other relevant information and I’d be happy to advise you privately and would keep the information absolutely confidential.