<p>UVA strongly recommends that applicants take 2 subject tests of their choice. Son will be applying to UVA next Fall and needs to decide which subject tests to take soon. He'll be applying to the engineering school as a comp sci major. Most engineering schools recommend that prospective students take Math and Physics/Chemistry. He could take the standards choices and I'm sure he would do fine. I'm wondering though whether it would better if he substituted French for either Math or Physics.</p>
<p>He was in a French Immersion elementary school and has taken French I, II, III, IV, and French AP so far. He's signed up for French V as a Senior. All of that French is a good thing but probably won't come up otherwise in his application. Is it better to show that he's had a well rounded education with the French SATII rather than take the standard subject tests of Math and Physics?</p>
<p>I would suggest he take the math and science but also take the french. Even though two are recommended sending three would be fine to show he is well rounded. Also he then has the french in the event the scores for the math or science are not where he wants them to be. Take all three to have choices or just look great. Don’t use your free sends, wait and see the grades.</p>
<p>I have read (but haven’t independently verified) that the only college that still requires 3 SAT IIs is Georgetown. However, it is still a good idea for your child to take three SAT subject tests and submit the best two.</p>
<p>My daughter plans to major in math or science. She earned an A by the narrowest of margins in AP English Language and had had only a month of AP English Literature when she took the Math II, Chemistry and English Literature SAT IIs. We were both surprised that her AP Literature score was higher than her Chemistry score. SAT subject test scores don’t necessarily correspond exactly to previous class results; after all, each test is only one hour long.</p>
<p>That is correct, there are very few colleges that ‘require’ three. Most have waived the third one. Students should always verify on a specific colleges website what the exact requirements or recommendations are for all testing. Students should take subjects tests in areas they have demonstrated strong interest/academic achievement-usually these go hand in hand. Tests should also be taken, if possible, in May or June around the time a student would take or have just taken an AP that corresponds with a subject test. They are usually more prepared during this time frame.</p>
<p>Agree, he should take all 3. The Math II and Physics (or Chem) would be ideal, but if he is sure to do well on French with listening, then by all means he should take the 3rd test. It’s fine to send the extra test score if it shows a strength that may not be shown throughout the rest of the application. And if he does end up applying to some other similar tier schools, he already has that 3rd SAT II in case he needs it (few require 3, but Princeton, Carnegie Mellon and I think Georgetown do --but don’t hold me to that, bc that may be incorrect).</p>
<p>Chris, my child is in the e-school and also continuing with French. SEAS offers a policy internship program and in the past, there has been an option to work in France. Proficiency in the language would definitely be a plus if that is something he would be interested in. Does he plan to take the French AP exam?</p>
<p>@woosah - The E-School actually has no foreign language requirement. I’d strongly recommend the math and science as well with French as a third SAT II if desired.</p>
<p>I strongly recommend taking SAT II’s and doing well on them. I did poorly on mine because I didn’t realize I had to take them. Now, I’m kicking myself over those lousy scores. </p>
<p>Shot for three 700+ SAT II’s and you’ll be set at every school.</p>
<p>Be sure and check requirements at all schools you might apply to. Virginia may say “two of your choice,” but at least one my daughter applied to wanted Math (I or II) and any other. So another school might be more specific about what they want. Key is to take test as soon as course completed since info is fresh in mind, especially if you had to study for AP test as well.</p>
<p>Hi Sabaray - yes, he’ll be taking the French AP exam this Spring. I don’t know whether he’ll be taking French in college as he will have been studying in French for twelve years already. He views French as equivalent to another English class. I’d love for him to do a study abroad in France but we’ll see.</p>
<p>I’ll let him know to plan on taking three subject tests.</p>
<p>It is hard (not impossible) in the e-school to do a study abroad. I do think that when they are considering individuals for the Rodman program being a well-rounded “global citizen” for lack of a better term if a factor they consider. I mentioned PIP as it is a summer program (with a stipend, University sponsored). D did three subject tests but I think they were Math, Biology and Chemistry. If his results on the AP exam are good (and I would think they would be with that much French) he can self-report those on his application.</p>