I realize that subject tests are optional for Northwestern but are they really optional. My son has a 780 math II and 700 Spanish and doesn’t have time to test again before early decision. Is he better off not sending in any subject test scores and only sending in his ACT of 35?
from northwestern website:
quote
Specific exam requirements:
HPME: Chemistry and Math Level 2
ISP: Chemistry, Physics and Math Level 2
Home-schooled: Math Level 1 or 2, plus two other SAT Subject Tests of the applicant’s choice from different areas (i.e., not two science or two foreign language or two history, etc.)
unquote
Also I recall that someone on cc mentioned that anything above 750 to NU is considered decent.
If your son is not home-schooled and is not interested in HPME or ISP program, then he may just send in ACT of 35. His math II of 780 is good too though
I know it isn’t required but is it expected? He only has a 700 and usually, schools want two subject tests. Also his grades are a little on the low side for NW even though he has the 35 ACT
I went to a NU seminar last year, if I heard it right. They care your GPA and test scores, the more data you provide them the greater certainty they have of your performance. I would at least send in Math II score. If his GPA is strong especially in junior year, it would help a lot . Junior, Senior, Sophomore, freshman that sequence
thanks. did they specifically talk about subject scores, not just act/sat?
Not specifically, my collection then was better of having both SAT/ACT available for them
@giantoctopus - My son also did not want to take the SAT IIs - he said he was all tested out! 
He called NU Admissions and was told that you only need to take the SAT IIs if you want to show strength in an area that your grades and/or AP testing did not reflect. Since he had a 4.0 GPA and all 5s on AP tests he did NOT take any SAT IIs and was admitted ED. Good luck to you and your son too. Go Cats!
thanks. Unfortunately my son does not have a 4.0gpa! He takes all honors/ap highest level courses but has a 3.6 unweighted gpa with a 35 ACT, 780 subject II test for math and 730 for Spanish. I’m not sure if it’s enough to make up for the grades
We are headed to NU for a college visit in a week and this is a question my S19 will be asking, although he won’t be applying till next year. Seems the advice on subject tests has been a bit fluid over the past few years and certainly does depend on which program of study you are pursuing. We haven’t been looking beyond Weinberg or maybe the School of Communication so can only contribute what we know about applying to those specific programs.
So, three years ago with D16, the AO said that they recommended you submit one subject test. Last year when D17 applied, the information on the website had increased that recommendation to two subject tests. However, for the current admissions cycle I can’t find that wording. In the FAQ’s they say subject tests are optional for most undergraduate applicants. I do plan to get their thinking on this issue as well as clarification that, yes, they have indeed been altering their thoughts on this (as opposed to us hurriedly reading the website each year and getting the wrong impression). My son has a busy enough schedule as is so not having to study for Math or History subject tests on top of AP’s would be very nice
From what I’ve been reading over the past few years on CC, the advice people have heard by calling them - that they consider your subject test if it shows strength in an area not provided elsewhere on your appication - has been consistent through our three children looking into this school. So guessing that the real advice hasn’t changed: submit if they help, don’t submit if they hurt or don’t enhance.
Specifically to OP: I’d probably send the 780. Can you score-choice on subject tests?
Thanks so much for your reply. It is unclear but the impression I got is that most of the kids applying to NU are applying to other competitive colleges so they have taken subject tests anyway and will submit them. It sure would be nice if they could be clear on this though. My son did improve his Spanish score to 730 which is still a little lower than he had hoped but he will probably send it anyway. If you get any more info from your visit I’d really appreciate if you’d share it. Thanks
@giantoctopus will do!