Hi, I’m planning on applying to Brown as a reach in the RD round with a 34 ACT (36E, 35R, 31M, 32S) (and 8 in writing), and I’m aware that Brown has a “recommended, not required” policy for subject tests if you’re submitting the ACT instead of the SAT. I have taken two subject tests, but did not do well at all - I know you need to have scores above a 700 to look good. In May, I got a 690 on Math 2 and this November, I got a 630 on Math 2 and a 650 on Chem. I’m in very hard classes and don’t really have time to dedicate to studying to retake subjects tests, nor do I want to pay the money to take them again. If I have a fairly strong application otherwise, will not submitting my subject scores look like a red flag? Thanks for all of your help!
IMO, yes.
in my mind, not sending looks as though you are trying to hide a score (which, let’s be honest, is what you would be trying to do.)
While Subject Tests are “recommended,” my belief is the reason many schools have switched to “recommended” is that some applicants from a lower socioeconomic status (SES) can’t afford more tests and/or the applicants attend a HS where no students apply to colleges where Subject Tests are requested, and therefore, may not have received the best advice from a GC.
If that does not apply to you, I am of the opinion that colleges at Brown’s tier are expecting Subject Tests from all other applicants. Although everyone will have a story about someone who was admitted without Subject Tests, my view in these cases is that there was probably more to the story (e.g. seriously hooked or lower SES).
FYI, there is a whole thread on the topic:
http://talk.qa.collegeconfidential.com/college-admissions/2027962-sat-subject-tests-are-not-truly-optional-for-middle-upper-middle-class-applicants-at-elite-colleges-p1.html