it says sat subject tests are optional but “recommended” on their website. however, i recently applied to penn and just checked their application portal. it says they’re “awaiting” my sat subject tests/acts but online it says they weren’t required? is it just going to say that but really it doesn’t matter if i do or not?
i took the acts but only got a 27 so i don’t want to submit them because they’re not good. do i have to???
I’m not sure where you’re seeing a receipt for SAT Subject Tests since they are supplemental. Penn does not notify you whether they receive these optional, supplemental materials. However, as a stated in your other thread, you need to submit all test scores including the ACT test if you took it. If your November SAT is higher than the 27 on the ACT, that is what they will look at. But you still need to submit all testing history.
Yeah you should submit your subject test scores. They don’t “require” it, but that’s probably mainly so they can attract more people to apply and have a lower acceptance rate.
You must submit all test scores, regardless of whether they are great or not. I submitted two 1990ish SATs and a 660 on Math 1 and I still was admitted.
@Makooks, which program did you get accepted to at Penn? College, Engineering, Wharton, or Nursing? Did you submit an ACT score or have any hooks? Congratulations, BTW!
@collegegal574 the subject tests are optional only for applicants who literally cannot afford them. which is easy to verify through your application and financial aid papers. in fact penn admissions has explicitly stated that they consider subject tests to be very important because they have found them to be very good indicators of future performance at Penn.
Can you cite your sources? I find it very hard to believe that the subject tests would be very good indicators of performance, especially since some people come from different areas where the resources available aren’t as good as the resources from other areas. Sure, they count for something, but I think you’re over exaggerating their importance. Also, I have never read anywhere that they are only not required for people who can’t afford them. That’s a ridiculous assumption, especially if Penn Admissions has no access to financial reports sent to Penn Financial Services.
“In addition to no longer requiring the essay, Penn is moving to recommend that students submit two SAT Subject Tests regardless of whether they submit the ACT or SAT.
‘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
Let me rephrase, the subject tests are officially optional for everyone. However, the reasoning for making them optional has been to assist people from underprivileged backgrounds, who can’t afford them, don’t have resources to prepare for them etc. If you are such an underprivileged candidate then chances are you will be applying for financial aid. Penn admissions can actually see if you are applying for aid or not even though they have no access to the financial reports. Also they have access to information regarding parents occupations etc. And it is very easy to understand a students socioeconomic background from the other parts of the application too.
So put simply, If you are a candidate from middle, upper-middle class family, going prep school and you apply without subject tests, I am willing to bet a lot that this will hurt your chances.