@logosoverpathosm You have multiple questions. Let us go with easy to hard one.
SAT Subject tests: Yes, few programs it is mandatory. The minimum you need is Math2 and 1 Science subject (B/C/P). Recommended to take as much as possible. Do it on the same year end when you do that subject. Few do it by end of Honors course or wait until AP course end. But take it by Soph or Jr year and no later.
ACT vs SAT. It is purely individual choice. 99% accepts both. Some colleges have preferences. Stony Brooks accepts ONLY SAT (no ACT). TCNJ prefers SAT. NEOMED and UMKC prefers ACT. You can take both and submit score selectively.
SAT and ACT some students prefer to wait until Junior year (because they would like to have the course in Algebra or pre-calc completed. But seen kids at end of Sophomore did ACT and got 36 also.
Prepare for SAT or ACT: Views are going to differ among both parents and students. Also it costs lot of money. If can afford can go to prep school which charges from $500 to $3000. As a parent, I will say, if the student has the discipline and have access to online or books to take tests, practice as many tests as possible. That is the key.
@logosoverpathosm, for biology/chemistry/physics, I would suggest you take SAT subject in June after you have the same subject (honor or AP), so what you study for school final should help you for SAT subject before you forget. For math, you may wait until you finish pre-calculus and take math 2 which has a better percentile curve than math 1.
@bsmd14
“Thanks again for clarifying our questions on what Admins are looking for in a candidate. Something that is not too clear to me is the role of parents in the interview process. When my S interviewed 2 years ago, some schools would call the parent(s) into the interview room (towards the end of each interview) and then the interviewer would have a chat with the parent(s). This is despite having information sessions for parents and/or students. I am curious about what Admins were generally looking for when they talk to the parents in the interview room. Thanks.”
There is no real agenda there other than to fill the parents in on the process and to make sure they know where to go if they have questions. It is also good to see that a student has a good support system if they need it. That said, it is definitely noted by interviewers, either consciously or not, when a student has overly aggressive parents that make the applicant look childlike in their dominance. Programs want to know this is the applicant’s dream, and they really could care less about their parents accomplishments. My advice to parents is to smile and be quiet; they are not going to help their son or daughter and can only hurt them.
just got acceptance letter to SLU Med Scholars Program in the mail … heard the program isn’t that great tho. Can anyone give any input about the program?
First time heard and interesting to know from BSMD14 post that 2 years back some programs interviewed/discussed with parent. The interview should be with student and not parent. Information session is fine, inetrview, may be for the vested interest a school may have to know if the parent can foot the bill!
@ymehkri I may be wrong and not done a through research. But last year when I briefly looked at the SLU program it appeared it is not guaranteed and also heard thru some indirect contact his D went there and did not complete and not happy etc etc. So we dropped SLU from our bucket list and did not apply.
@presario98 Congrats. Based on our research, it appears to be a very good program. Observe carefully the photo they have for this program. Each and every individual in that shot who are in the class room, have a genuine happiness. Nothing can be made out of my statement or that photo, but it gave a very good feeling.
My D was rejected pre-interview. But we received a personal letter from the UG Prof and Dean and encouraging to see the personal touch he had in the mail and explained the opportunity it provides etc.,
Do your research and weight all your options before the final decision. GL.
@GoldenRock I agree its too early to finalize. We have seen so many acceptances recently, if one can update in the link you provided it will help to understand who are announcing vs what we are waiting on… easy tracking mostly…
