I’m going to apply to Harvard this year. I’m an international student (Indonesia) and still thinking what SAT II should I take? Currently I’m planning to take Math I and one other subject. But I can’t decide which is better: US History/Literature? Does Harvard prioritize on either subject? I need advice.
No. Harvard does not have a preference for one Subject test over any other. Take the one that you think you will score higher on.
Math 1 won’t really look spectacular at Harvard. You should take Math 2 instead, and do well of course. Try to match what SAT you take with what your major will be. Are you a science orientated person? Take physics, bio. Plan to be a writer, lawyer? Take Literature, US History.
While I agree with @skieurope, please go to Harvard’s International Statistics website (http://www.hio.harvard.edu/statistics). From the pulldown menus select, STUDENTS, INDONESIA and HARVARD COLLEGE (the undergraduate school). There are currently two (2) students who are attending the college from your country who are freshman, sophomores, juniors or seniors. That means, on average, Harvard admits one (1) person every other year from Indonesia. Now, Harvard doesn’t publish how many students apply each year from Indonesia, but my guess is the number would be in the hundreds.
To be admitted form Indonesia an applicant needs to demonstrate they are the best-of-the-best from their country. As the SAT MATH II Subject test encompass MATH I, it would be MORE impressive and MORE competitive to apply with a top score in MATH II, especially if you are applying with an interest in anything besides the humanities or arts.
While @gibby is correct as usual, let’s all be realistic. Any international applicant’s chances of being admitted to Harvard is about 2.5%; if the original poster has had precalc preparation, take M2; if not, take M1. One versus the other will not swing the needle significantly past that 2.5%