I am not the best at test taking. I was able to get a 1500 on sat and my gpa is 3.9 uw and 4.6 weighted
I am cum laude and legacy.
However, my college counselor is telling me to submit my two subject scores 680 math and 620 US history.
What should I do?
Those scores will do you no favors in the admissions process, IMO. I would either retake for a higher score or not submit.the ones you have.
I was thinking about not submitting but I heard they want to see subject tests and they don’t really care what you get they just want to see that you took them. Addiotnally my grandparents are very generous donors and have been on several boards at penn
Well, your legacy may indeed help you.
Unless you “heard” this first-hand from a salaried employee in Penn’s admissions office, I personally would take it with a huge grain of salt. Colleges generally don’t ask for things solely to get another piece of paper.
I heard … they don’t really care what you get they just want to see that you took them.
Totally untrue, Penn actually values the SAT subjects highly.
"“This change reflects our research that shows that, when considered in the full context of the application, the SAT Subject Tests are strong predictors of performance at Penn,” said Romero Da Silva. “For many students the Subject Tests allow them to showcase areas of academic strength by subject matter which is something we value.” "
https://news.upenn.edu/news/penn-announces-new-testing-requirements-applicants
Do you think submitting them will hurt my application
I would not submit them unless Penn requires it.
Better approach is to retake and try to get good scores.
Retaking is not an option - there are no more test dates and I rather focus on grades
If you are applying ED (which should be the strategy as a legacy), technically you can submit the November test date for consideration, Any change in your GPA will probably make less of an impact on the decision.
That said, if you opt not to retake, then I would not send them at all.