Hey guys!
I just got my SAT Subject Marks and I’m feeling uneasy about one in particular. I’m applying REA to Harvard and I was wondering whether to send the Spanish test.
French - 770 (June)
German - 760 (June)
Spanish - 660 (Oct)
I’ve also done Math Level 2(Oct) and gotten an 800.
Do you think I should send all four, or is sending only the top three a better idea.
I’m aware Harvard only ‘requires’ two SAT 2s.
Thanks!
They only require 2 Sat 2s, therefore I would only send your Math2 and French. Dont think a third is going to add any more value, esp 760. A kid I know was accepted to Harvard with similar scores and sent only 2.
Most applicants only send 2. The 800 and 770 are more than fine. More does not equal better.
I will also say that at Harvard (and I would assume similar schools), little elves in the basement (well, work/study students) assemble a cover sheet which lists only the top 2 scores; the other scores will appear further inside the package if the AO decides to dig for them, but it’s not like an AO will say “Oooooh. 4 Subject Tests. Impressive.” S/he will really need to go digging for the extra ones to find them. Good luck.
Normally I’d advise just sending the two highest but given the unusual situation that you have three foreign language scores, I’d be inclined to send all four. If I were reviewing applications, a file that had three respectable FL scores plus an 800 Math 2, would definitely get my attention.
I agree with @sherpa. If you are fluent or virtually fluent in three languages besides English, I would send all those scores as well as the 800 in Math 2. I think that’s mighty impressive. Congratulations!
I don’t think that sending the top 3 versus the top 2 will move the needle much one way or the other. If the OP wants to send 3, that’s fine, but I don’t think the 660 will do him/her many favors. Note that to be exempted from the language requirement at Harvard, one needs a 700, and the OP has that in other languages. And completing that requirement, which is only 2 semesters, makes one far from fluent. Doing well on a foreign language Subject Test means the user has demonstrated competence at the A2 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages - it does not show proficiency or fluency.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_European_Framework_of_Reference_for_Languages
Also, while knowing multiple languages is rare for an American, the OP is an international applicant. Multilingual international applicants to Harvard pretty much grow on trees.
Thank you all for the advice and kind words. I now have a much clearer view on what’s going on.
I just supposed sending in Language SAT scores would be more convenient (both for me and the uni), rather than trying to find a place to list DELFs and DAFs even though the latter are at the B1/B2 level.
I suppose I’ll just briefly mention language acquisition in the Academic/Activities part of the application.
Also skieurope mentioned an interesting remark about international students and multilingual applicants.
I was just wondering whether it seems just as mundane to admission officers if none of the listed languages are spoken by even a small fraction of the population of the place I’m living in, nor my home country.
Many thanks and off to that Common App once again!
FYI, the Common App asks you to list the languages in which you are proficient. Harvard will not ask you to prove it. So if you can work the DELFs and DAFs into your application, fine. If not, no big deal.
IMO, it’s hardly a make or break, There are just so many international applicants, and Harvard limits them to ~12% of the total. It’s just not that meaningful as a differentiator. Though, if you get accepted, it’s a nice icebreaker when meeting your entryway mates.