Huntsman -- Worth applying with low Subject Tests?

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Pennsylvania
1

So December subject tests just came in. I took the Math 2 and the Bio; unexpectedly I did much worse than I thought I would – 640 and 560 respectively. I was hoping to apply for Huntsman’s policy program for Spanish (I’m of non Hispanic descent).

I was wondering if its still worth applying to Upenn and Wharton at this point. Does UPenn put a large weight on their subject tests?

I have significant experience in working in finance and policy – vital intern at Congressman’s campaign office and got a solid letter of recommendation from him. I’m valedictorian of my class, current President of my class, have a solid 4.6 GPA (Not many AP’s are offered at my school), got a 5 on AP Spanish, AP Seminar (Capstone candidate), APUSH, and a 4 on Calc BC. On my ACT, I got a 35 on English, Reading; 32 on Math; 33 on Science. I have a fair amount of extracurriculars that I invest heavily. Since subject tests are required, I won’t use score choice.

Thanks for the feedback. My alternative would be the Columbia Sciences Po which offers to omit subject test requirements for ACT.

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Why not? You have almost nothing to lose and a lot to gain.

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what was your spanish subject test?

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Have not taken any other subject tests.

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I agree you should definitely apply. Other than the application fee, what do you have to lose?

I think you have three choices:

  1. Apply to Huntsman with Subject scores.
  2. Apply to Huntsman without Subject scores. (They're not required for UPenn. Or is it a requirement for Huntsman only?)
  3. Apply to UPenn without Subject scores. I know people who have gotten into CAS without sending Subject scores.

You sound like a very strong applicant other than the Subject scores. My thinking would be, since these are your Achilles heal, why send them in?

But if you think you’d be rejected from Huntsman without the Subject tests, have you considered applying to CAS without the Subject tests? There are just so many amazing opportunities at UPenn. You can take many of the same classes and have many of the same opportunities.

Also, I don’t understand why it’s an either/or–Huntsman or Columbia Sciences. Why not apply to both?

Good luck!

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@connections, thank you very much for your response and encouragement – especially in this time of existential crisis (a bit overblown, haha) and insecurity (shown by my appeal to the cc community). I really wasn’t thinking of the college of arts and sciences since I want to end up with a JD/MBA. However, searching the different opportunities at the college of arts and sciences, I think I may just apply there instead of Wharton. The deliberation between Huntsman and Columbia Sciences Po is a time and finance issue. Would love to apply to both but Cspo seems a bit more limited on financial aid. Once again, thank you for your reply on Christmas day and I wish you the best on the rest of your holidays!

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When I applied to Wharton last year they reccomonded sending 2 sat subject tests. I beleive that you can use score choice on the subject tests. I got a good score on Math 2 and only submitted that. You will be fine with the subject tests if the other parts of your application is strong. If you are in huntsman u will never be taking a bio class anyway and admissins knows that so they wont care much about it