<p>I sort of blundered up my schedule and planning for junior year and I need some advice. So far I've taken SAT twice, receiving a 2070 and a 2210 (I wish they were better... I know I can get a 2300+ if I take it one more time, is it bad to have this much score variation?) </p>
<p>I would really like to apply to several Ivy League schools (though my parents are reluctant to fund anything!), and therefore need SAT II tests as well. Tomorrow is the last schedule date for the year, so I have to make a decision. My dream school would be Yale or Harvard (though I don't know how realistic that is), because I'm seriously considering law, however, Upenn is a close second because I was considering business for my undergraduate degree. Anyhow, I was thinking of taking Math 2 (BC Calc), US History (AP US), Spanish (Spanish IV), and/or Physics (Physics B). </p>
<p>Since there's only one date left, I was thinking of taking the first three and forgetting about physics, and then studying over my very busy summer for the regular SAT and taking them first thing. I've heard it's hard to take three in one sitting, any comment on this? Clearly the other option would be 2 in June, then 2 (unless I receive amazing scores on the first two) when they start up again, and then regular SAT if possible before sending in applications.</p>
<p>On a side note, I also might take ACT (pay late fee for last one this year?) just in case I am better at them... My parents don't want to pay for this either, but I could pay for them. Is it worth it? I would study, and if I don't score well enough, I've heard nobody will ever even know.</p>
<p>Clearly I really want to maximize my chances of getting into my top schools, so any good/specific advice would be ridiculously helpful, thank you so much!!</p>
<p>You cannot take more than three subject tests in one sitting. Also, all colleges that require subject tests require only two. Georgetown and Johns Hopkins recommend three but neither of them actually requires subject tests. For colleges other than those two you don’t need more than two. If you will be applying for engineering or science majors you should take the math and physics because some of them require math and a science for those majors. Otherwise taking the math and history or language work (unless you are a native speaker of the language because some have mentioned they are not impressed with a high score in language when you are a native speaker).</p>
<p>In other words, you don’t need four tests. You need three only if applying to Geogetown or Hopkins. As to issues you have with parents, it sounds like there is a real issue as to what they can afford and you best start discussing that issue with them.</p>
<p>Take sat2 math2 and ush and consider physics. You only need 2. Don’t take Spanish.
Act is definitely worth a try. I do give fair warning that it is very sad to see someone get accepted to HY and not be able to attend for financial reasons. The fact that they do not want to pay for act is indicative of finances. However, you could show them that HY still give fin aid if household income is over $200,000 per year.</p>
<p>I don’t believe my family is in rough shape… Though my parents won’t tell me, my father’s salary is six digits, and my mom has a job too, and is now going to school to become a radiographer technician. Whenever I cite the financial aid for Ivy Leagues, they say that we won’t be applicable for much because they consider assets as well (retirement money, etc). </p>
<p>My sister goes to UF, so I think maybe my parents were expecting the same deal… As for testing , etc., they’ve been giving me a hard time for god knows why–they say they ‘don’t understand my goals, why I need to take these tests, etc.’ Not trying to be snooty, but I might just end up paying for it myself.</p>
<p>You need to learn a lot more about college and finances. Though retirement funds are not factored in when determining aid, it sounds like your parents are like many that are in what is called need based financial aid limbo. They make just enough money for you not to be able to qualify for much if any need based financial aid, but there really is no way they can afford the $50,000 a year it is likely to cost to send you to an ivy, particularly while also having another in college. There are many families which make in the $130,000 to $200,000 range in that same situation.</p>
<p>Actually that’s what I just said… My parents have entered their IRS information into the school calculators, told me that Upenn won’t give very much and Harvard won’t give anything (which is contrary to what I’ve heard from just about everyone, everything), but I won’t be satisfied until I hear from the schools themselves… If I am lucky enough to be accepted, that is. Either way, I will probably have to get a job when I go to school (I am working now too), and will graduate with some sort of loan.</p>