<p>Hi, I'm thinking of applying to Amherst College on Early Decision, so I need to have my SAT scores done preferably by October (November latest). Problem is, I want to retake both the SAT I and the two subject tests I did before. Which is more important to retake by October? Especially in regards to Amherst standards? </p>
<p>Also, my essay grade was terrible, which further complicates things and my decision on whether or not to retake the SAT I by October or the subject tests by October. The admissions people said November is OK, but it's highly recommended that everything is finalized before November, because the admissions people might not see November results. </p>
<p>Even though you may not be particularly happy with your SAT I score, you’re still solidly in the mid-range of people who attend Amherst with your current stats. Taking that into consideration, it may be in your best interest to bump up your SAT II scores instead of retaking the SAT I :)</p>
<p>thank you so much! Do you think it will be OK even though my essay score is horrible? I checked the school’s common data set and it said that the SAT essay is used ‘for admission’ but i’m not sure what that’s suppposed to mean…</p>
<p>Personally, I would retake the subject tests. I think when they say that they use the SAT essay for admissions, they use it to compare it to your admission essays. The SAT essay is mainly used when someone writes a jawdropping admissions essay (almost too good for a high school student) and they check the SAT essay to make sure that the writers strengths match up, just to make sure that the student didn’t hire someone to write his or her essay. Not sure if this is true though, can someone confirm just to make sure?</p>
<p>A suggestion is you could go for the ACT in September (I found it easier than the SAT, the English at least def is) and then retake the subject tests in October. If you do better on the ACT than the SAT, submit that and then you’re improved subject test scores and Amherst will start looking much better. Good luck!</p>
<p>oh wow, thank you all so much! I was considering taking the ACT, but I heard that it is more useful for students who are strong in Math/Science, which I am not :/</p>