Number of SAT IIs

I’ve heard that usually universities want 2~3 SAT II Subject Tests, but why are some people taking more than 3? I personally want to take around 5 but I want to know if there would be a benefit in taking five besides the fact that you can hand select the best 2 or 3. Can you send more than 2~3 tests? Would sending more look better? Or do you guys think it is a waste of time and effort to take more than 3 SAT IIs?

<p>just curious....why is ur name intel2007?</p>

<p>btw, i just took 2 and thats basically enough, though ill probably take math IC this fall senior yr.</p>

<p>Well my graduation year from high school is 2007 and Intel, well that can stand for two things: "intel processor", or intelligence</p>

<p>don't overdo it. take the one's for the subjects that you're most proficient in.</p>

<p>Thanks, so do you think taking more than 2~3 is a waste of time?</p>

<p>i agree....but also, take those that the skools you plan to apply to require...example: a science and a math, or english and a math. Every school has their own requirement/recommendation.</p>

<p>if i were in your shoes. i'd take 3...then i'd see how my scores were, and if i was happy with them i'd take it, if not there's always other opportunities to retake or take more of them</p>

<p>I took 8...but it's kinda complicated why I did so...</p>

<p>I opted to go to Lutheran High School over some much more competitive high schools. My father (we're Asian) was afraid that I wouldn't be prepared enough if I went there, so we sort of struck a deal: If I could prove that what I learned while at LHS was enough for me to pass the SAT IIs in the respective subjects, I could stay at LHS. Of course, I had to do quite a bit of self-study to supplement what we learned in school, but in the end, it all worked out</p>

<p>Everyone is different. 8 SAT II's is unheard of in NYC.</p>

<p>Wow, 8... Anyways I have a friend that knows a guy that is currently going to Caltech and this guy basically aced all the science SAT IIs but kind of did poorly in SAT History/ other stuff like that. So for applying for tech. schools such as MIT and Caltech it would be beneficial to take as many science SAT IIs as you can right? What do you guys think?</p>

<p>Edit: as many SAT II sciences that you can do well in</p>

<p>For a science program, its good to have high science SAT II's, for social science programs, its good to have high history and/or english SAT II's, etc etc. Its obviously logical that way because you show your proficiency in that specific area and that way, you fit that specific major/program of study. It doesnt really look good at all if you apply to a history major while your SAT II history grades are bad. That just doesnt make sense, although, you dont have to send in your SAT IIs if you dont want to. But why would you major in something you're bad in, in the first place? Think about it.....</p>

<p>What would you apply for if you like math and history or english and science?</p>

<p>oy, ur just like me....i like science a history; those are my best subjects and my favorite. i am currently stuck between majoring in something science or social science. Consider my SAT IIs: 770 - US history which is just excellent, and 680 - biology which is good, for Cornell University. I will be bound to choose one or the other and then switch if i want to, which will definitely happen in college; you always switch your major sophomore year. Its just bound to happen. So remember, what you pick now wont haunt you until you graduate; you can easily switch. </p>

<p>In your case Intel2007, evaluate what you like more, and what you want to continue to pursue. You can like something, but you dont necessarily want to pursue a career in it. Something of that nature helps. </p>

<p>BTW, there is such a thing as double majors. What schools are you considering anyway?</p>

<p>Thanks! Schools I'm considering... well I would like to go to a first tier university but I don't know if I'll be able to get there.. but ya, I really like history and math and I kind of like science (maybe physics would spark it)</p>

<p>MIT currently requires 1 science, 1 math, and 1 other of your choice.</p>

<p>The "other of your choice" used to be writing or literature, but since the College Board took away the writing test they've changed it. I just thought I'd add that to let you know that it is, indeed, okay to make that one other a humanities subject. It'll show depth, which is an excellent thing as tech schools often like to show that their students are not one-dimensional. And they aren't.</p>

<p>I personally love Cornell (thats first tier obviously), and I will apply Early Decision this October :)</p>

<p>That's awesome! Oh ya isn't Cornell mostly engineering?</p>

<p>Well, Cornell is number 1 in the Ivy League for engineering, but its generally very prestigious in the sciences; but overall, its an awesome school in every subject you can think of. It has the largest number of majors of any college.</p>