I’m not sure exactly where to post this, so I will post it here because it has something to do with college admissions.
I am currently a junior in High School, and I am facing a dilemma. My original plan was to take the new SAT on May 7th, and then take two subject tests on June 4th (I have to take the subject tests, due to the fact that I will be applying to top schools). I would have taken it in march, but I have something to do on that day. I recently found out that a competition I am attending is on May 7th. I have to attend this competition, so I can’t take the SAT on that day. So, the only SAT date that I can attend for the rest of this school year is the June 4th date, but I need to take both the SAT and two SAT subject tests. Here are the plans I have come up with.
Take the SAT on June 4th, then take the subject tests on the October date of the next school year (this is risky, because there is no guarantee that there will be an October date, and then I don't know if the scores will be in before the November 1st deadline for early admissions to colleges)
Take the April ACT, then take the subject tests on June 4th. I don't like this plan either for multiple reasons. First, I did pretty well on this past PSAT (1470/1520), so I am hopeful I will get national merit. In order to verify national merit, you must send in a new sat score, so if I go with this plan, I won't get national merit. I also have never studied for or taken the ACT, and given only one month of preparation time I'm not sure if I would do well on the test.
I don’t really like either of these plans, because I only have one test date to get it right with either of them, but from what I can tell these are my only options. Any help would be appreciated in either picking the best plan or coming up with a new one.
@suzy100 I could have taken it in March if I really pushed, but I figured I could take it in May so it was no big deal. Now it’s too late to push for March, and I absolutely can’t do it in may. Generally it seems the October date is the first or second Saturday of October, so given that the first Saturday in October is the 1st, and the second is the 8th, there is a good possibility I will get the scores back in time. Worst case I could not apply early action to places that require sat subject tests. Do you know if there is an advantage to applying early at top schools? I went to Duke over the summer, and they said there is no actual advantage, but there is a higher admit rate due to the fact that people who apply early are more likely to be qualified to attend the school. I’m not sure if this is true in other schools like the ivy leagues.
Take the SAT subject tests in June this year, while the materials learned are still fresh on your mind.
Take the SAT test on Oct. 1, 2016, spend the summer to prep for the new SAT test. Take the writing part even if it is optional because the top schools will still require it.
Over the summer, figure out which colleges you want to apply early, and have your October SAT scores send directly to them.
Also take your AP exams this May and ACT in October if you can.
agree with y2k (take SAT2s while subjects are fresh), but also add ACT in April June or September. If you’re taking SAT2s for subjects you didn’t take this year, it’s no big deal to push SAT2 to October and do your SAT1 in June. That gives you freedom to do another SAT1 in October and SAT2 in Nov if you must. Most schools accept the Nov Subject Tests even for ED.
@y2kchicks I agree with “Take the SAT subject tests in June this year, while the materials learned are still fresh on your mind.
Take the SAT test on Oct. 1, 2016, spend the summer to prep for the new SAT test. Take the writing part even if it is optional because the top schools will still require it.
Over the summer, figure out which colleges you want to apply early, and have your October SAT scores send directly to them.”
Also, OP - take the SAT in October AND November. You could easily get deferred at your ED/EA school so the extra shot at the SAT in November could help you with your RD schools. Simlarly, you could always take the Subject Tests again in December '16 if you want to boost your scores there a bit.
@y2kchicks will the SAT I scores be in on time? It seems like college board thinks it will take about a month and a half to score them, which would be more like mid November. I’m not really sure how score reporting works, if I send it straight to colleges will they get it before I do?
@Mafic8 - Every private university that has a 1st November Early Decision/Early Action deadline (that I am aware of) will accept November SAT/SAT II/ACT testing. The SAT scores come out 3.5 weeks after the test date, so October and November testing is fine.
HOWEVER, you should check with each uni as to what their testing cutoff is, particularly for public unis.
@londondad I am unable to find this info on the websites of the colleges, so that is why I wasn’t sure. Do I have to send the scores directly to them (as put their number on the sheet when I take the test)?
not all schools accept the nov test for ED/EA. look at what your schools of interest did this past year and they will probably follow the same MO in 2017.
as for getting scores to the school for ED/EA, make sure your ED/EA schools are included in the 4 free score reports included with the price of the test. those scores will be transmitted as soon as they’re available. otherwise, when you ‘add’ score reports, there is usually a delay.
some people don’t use the free scores because they want to see their scores first, but if you’re doing an additional november test (after taking all these others as discussed), you’d be to the point that you KNOW you want to use those scores, at least for the ED/EA schools.
These tests and application dates have been going on for millennia. The schools pretty much sync up with the test dates (but of course, do check). Also, if you are not applying to one of a very few schools (say MIT), most schools will take the ACT with writing in lieu of SAT IIs. Check on that. Then you will have the extra security of the second chance (ACT) if you choke on the SAT II on test day.
You may want to go to a test prep company and take a practice ACT. Some have free assessments to predict whether you are likely to perform better on one test over the other.
@Mafic8 at this stage in your Junior year, you should be 1) narrowing down which school (s) you plan to apply early and 2) understand if they are ED/EA/SCEA programs and the restrictions and combinations that do or don’t work. For example it is not possible to apply early to both Yale and Georgetown.
After that, then you should contact your preferred schools and make sure you fully understand their testing policy for early applicants. Good luck!