<p>Although they say you can send either the SAT or ACT, does Princeton (and top ivies for that matter) ultimately prefer SAT, since it's supposed to be harder?</p>
<p>Not necessarily, but I know they put weight on SAT IIs more than most top schools.</p>
<p>I thought schools have a conversion system where they will take your best score from the ACT/SAT without prejudice…</p>
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<p>Why do think this? Not disagreeing with you, I’m just curious as to why you think that they do.</p>
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<p>A lady from Princeton admissions came to our school and said that they require 2 Subject Tests for all applicants, but that the strongest applicants send 3-5. She basically implied that two subject tests was literally the bare minimum and it would be advantageous to send more.</p>
<p>Other colleges simply say “subject tests are strongly recommended” or “we will only look at your top two scores.” Princeton, on the other hand, has definitely said it takes into account many subject test scores and believes it’s advantageous to send more than just two.</p>
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I agree. I recall reading one of the college admission books( forgot the name), but the Dean of Admissions stated that a strong academic students are those with 5 subject tests above 700.</p>
<p>So taking only 2 subject tests and scoring well on them actually puts you at a disadvantage?</p>
<p>Does it matter which subjects they are?</p>
<p>what about 3 subject tests (all 800s), but in all the same discipline?</p>
<p>I.E. 800Chem 800Phys 800MathIIC</p>
<p>I’ll weigh in on all of this. I believe that Princeton doesn’t favor SAT or ACT, and that more than the minimum SAT IIs would help, although at some point, i.e. looking like a serial test taker, the benefit diminishes. Also, top scores across disciplines probably looks better than all quantitative or all non quant.</p>
<p>800s in Physics, Math level 2, World History, and a non-native FL would be a great package.</p>
<p>As a single data point, DS was accepted with a 35 ACT and a combined 3110 in Physics, Chem, Math 2, and World History.</p>
<p>Sunshine02,
DS took two subject tests, Chem and Math 2, did well and is now a happy Princeton freshman.</p>
<p>Hmm interesting to learn that Princeton gives significant weight to SAT IIs. Hopefully this will increase my chances, as I have a 35 ACT and 3200 combined SAT IIs.</p>
<p>Any idea how other top schools feel about SAT IIs?</p>
<p>Son took 3 subject tests, all in math/sciences (he’s an engineer), and was accepted.
Son #2 applying this year with 3 - math, chem, spanish – and we’re very comfortable with that.</p>
<p>At my school we’ve had unhooked kids get in with 750-760s on two SAT IIs. It’s not the end all be all… it’s just something extra. It could also be because of our school’s strong reputation that the need for the tests are not as necessary, but I could be wrong.</p>
<p>Princeton admissions said they’ll consider all scores sent, but they’ll only put weight on the top two SAT II test scores. Therefore, wouldn’t it just be the same if you’re only sending two?</p>
<p>yeah i agree…Ive never heard of this counting more than 2 SAT subject tests. All that I’ve heard is that SAT scores > Transcript. </p>
<p>ps. how do AP scores count then?</p>
<p>This book is old, an excerpt from A is for Admission book.</p>
<p>[url=<a href=“A Is for Admission: The Insider's Guide to Getting into the Ivy League and ... - Michele A. Hernández - Google Books”>A Is for Admission: The Insider's Guide to Getting into the Ivy League and ... - Michele A. Hernández - Google Books]A</a> is for admission: the insider’s … - Michele A. Hern</p>
<p>Also, not everyone takes a foreign language that correlates with a subject test. My son’s taking Arabic-no subject test for that.</p>
<p>do the 5-6 scores over 700 include the normal sat sections?</p>
<p>oh my god people stop caring. scores are scores.</p>
<p>example:
at least two or three kids of the 5-10 each year, for the past three years that i’ve been attending it, from my school that get into princeton had scores between 2100-2200, only two SAT IIs between 750 and 800, and maybe two or three AP scores at the most. CALM DOWN.</p>
<p>They are also unhooked, non-URM, non-athletic students who are just interesting, well-spoken, and qualified individuals who don’t stress over tests.</p>