<p>When I was a freshman, I took physics SAT II and got 670 (no preparation). As a higher grader (Jr or Sr), I got Bio 720, Chem 750, Math I 780, and Math II 800. On top of that, SAT 750, 780, 780, ACT 35. Some 5 on AP.</p>
<p>Do you think my freshman physics score would hurt my chance to Harvard? Do I need to retake the lower score SAT II tests?</p>
<p>I just asked the general question yesterday of a Harvard admission officer (she has been on the admission committee for many years) and she said, “We only look at the highest scores.” Period. That’s Harvard’s policy. Take a look at the online Harvard viewbook </p>
<p><a href=“http://www.admissions.college.harvard.edu/utilities/electronic_resources/viewbook/Rollo0708_GuideApplying.pdf[/url]”>http://www.admissions.college.harvard.edu/utilities/electronic_resources/viewbook/Rollo0708_GuideApplying.pdf</a> </p>
<p>to confirm this. The Common Application has space for six SAT II scores (you could put more on in an attachment to the form) and Harvard will look at the three highest. Don’t worry about it. </p>
<p>Because your question relates only to test scores, and test scores are not the only issue that matters in admission, take a look at a thread about what else matters </p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=377882[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=377882</a> </p>
<p>to get some idea of what other issues will be important to your application. </p>
<p>Do you have a safety college lined up? Have you already applied to it? </p>
<p>Good luck in your applications.</p>
<p>Tokenadult, thanks so much for your kindness and the valuable information. Appreciated.</p>
<p>Interestingly, when an applicant checks his/her completed application status online, he/she will see that Harvard lists everything it has received. This includes all SAT II scores.</p>
<p>True, Harvard only takes the highest scores. But colleges may not look at test scores in a favorable light if they were taken even before taking the actual subject in school. They may think you were simply “programmed” by tutors or cram schools. Well, that’s what my GC told me.</p>
<p>Where does your GC get his/her information?</p>
<h1>5;</h1>
<p>Huh? Same reaction as Tokenadult.<br>
S took AP-Calc and AP-Physics without taking the classes (he audited AP-Physics). No adcom said that he came across as programmed. And he was not. </p>
<p>Total speculation on the part of this GC both about students and about adcoms.</p>
<p>With all due respect, I’m sure your GC counselor is wrong. (re #5).</p>
<p>Yes, taking the test w/o the class shows the exact opposite. These tests cannot be easily programmed. They specifically target the overall thematic topic rather than easily programmed processes.</p>