SAT Subject Tests and the UC Admissions process

<p>I have a question for those who are really knowledgeable about the UC application process and how they weigh standardized test scores. I saw a PDF that on their point system, it is out of a possible 4000. 2400 (SAT 1) and 2 800 (SAT Subjects) would sum up to 4000.</p>

<p>I always felt that the SAT I was a more reliable way of measuring a student's ability, and I think a lot of other colleges feel that way also. According to this though, the SAT Subject test points weigh just as much as SAT Reasoning points in the UC system.</p>

<p>Is this true? Will the adcoms look at my application and see that I had an okay SAT score and low SAT scores? Or will they assume that both were low because of the average?</p>

<p>Has anyone heard of a success story where someone was admitted even though they had SAT Subject tests disproportionate to the rest of their application? I'm not talking horrid, but low 600s?</p>

<p>actually, LA doesn't use the point system. but it makes sense to me to put more weight on the SAT IIs...the student gets to pick the subjects he is good at or will prove his eligibility for the major. taking SATII english doesn't do much for an engineering major, for example.</p>

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Will the adcoms look at my application and see that I had an okay SAT score and low SAT scores? Or will they assume that both were low because of the average?

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<p>they will see all the individual scores</p>

<p>Wouldn't it make more sense to put less importance on the SAT Subject tests? I know of so many failures at my school who are lazy, don't well in classes, got horrible SAT 1 score, don't do anything for the school or community, but got really high SAT Subject tests because they only pay attention in that particular area or they speak a certain language regularly.</p>

<p>I'm not here to defend my case though, I want to know what the adcom and the school thinks. Anyone know?</p>

<p>My SAT scores were low(770M,580R, 580W) compared to my SAT 2 scores(790 Math,710 Chem,700 US History), but my ACT(35M, 33R, 30E, 28S, 32C) scores were high, along with my GPA and quality of ECs.</p>

<p>I'm pretty sure(supposedly) UCLA looks at you as a whole anyways, because they started using the holistic admissions system last year.</p>

<p>IMO: SATs are not a good indication of anything(ability, value, knowledge, etc.)</p>

<p>I'm glad to hear that the top two UC schools are taking a more holistic approach at admissions. That's a lot of encouragement, thanks for informing me.</p>