How necessary are SAT IIs for top schools??

Test Preparation SAT Subject Test Preparation
1

I’m a senior this year, applying to college this fall. I am going to apply to a few prestigious universities (Tufts, Harvard, UCLA, Stanford, etc.) along with my safeties. I took the ACT June and got a 32 (with 30 writing). I’m retaking this in September and I know I’ll at least get a 33-34, but ultimately hoping for a 35 because that would guarantee me a full ride to one of my safeties.

Except my safeties (they won’t even look at SAT IIs), all my schools recommend, but do not require SAT subject tests. I’m interested in every school I’m applying to and I want to give myself the best shot I can at admission. If I get my desired ACT score in September, should I try for the SAT II in November and/or December? Even if I don’t get the ACT score I want, I will probably register late for the October test, retake it, and still be able to do December for the subject tests.

It’s just cutting everything very close, I know. I would probably take Math 2, except I haven’t done PreCalc since sophomore year, and Bio E (or Bio M) because that’s what I’m most prepared for. Also, I don’t have the most impressive AP scores (three 4s and one 3), so maybe scoring high on SAT IIs would compensate. (For personal reasons, I missed a lot of school right before I took my AP tests). I have a 3.95 unweighted GPA (4.63 weighted) with all AP and IB coursework for junior and senior year. I would definitely say my school is challenging and pushes us to almost a breaking point.

Of course, ECs, honors, essays, and teacher recommendations are very important. But I need to make sure I at least appear competent for tough coursework as well.

What do you guys think?

2

There is no “compensating for.” But the good news is that AP scores carry little to no weight in the admissions process.

As for taking the Subject Tests, it’s your call. It won’t hurt you not to take them, especially with a 33-34, although it might help you. Personally, for a college with single digit acceptance rates, I would leave no stone unturned, and just take the Subject Tests. That way, if I got rejected, at least I wouldn’t be playing the “What if” game.

3

I believe a couple schools you mention recommend SAT IIs, which means you should really take them if there aren’t financial barriers for your family.

4

When I was applying to top schools I asked several admissions officers about the SAT II “recommendation.” They strongly implied that you’re expected to take several subject tests UNLESS it’s a significant financial burden for your family: the whole reason many of these schools made subject tests “recommended” instead of “required” is because they believed that subject tests were preventing many capable lower-socioeconomic-status students from applying. I would say it’s definitely in your best interests to take the subject tests, and to take them seriously. Again, subject tests are generally only “optional” for financial reasons.

5

Thank, everybody! Looks like I’ll be trying to take those SAT IIs this November or December. :slight_smile: