What kind of SAT subject test scores is Lafayette looking for? My daughter has a 4.0 GPA (UW), 34 ACT (35 SS), but here SAT subject test are fair. Trying to decide if she needs to take them again. I have searched and I can’t find anything about average SAT subject test scores. She is looking at Chemical Engineering. Thanks
I have an incoming Freshman who took, but did not submit, SAT subject tests. His GPA was a bit lower and while he took the SAT the conversion tables suggest that his ACT would have been significantly lower. Of course, he’s not looking at Engineering which may require a higher bar.
My rising sophomore at Lafayette (mech e) submitted chemistry 730 and bio 720. He did not submit Math Ii because he only got a 690 (both times he took it). He had ACT 32 (super score 33) and as I recall he had a 34 or 35 math section sub score. He had about 3.8 UW and 4.5 W with hard classes–chem, bio, physics c, calc bc, eng lit, Econ, ush, gov, German and got a couple of 5s but mostly 4s on the aps. And he had several B grades sprinkled in among his As. Even in math and science as a prospective engineer. In any case, he was admitted and got marquis scholarship to boot so you don’t have to be perfect.
If I recall correctly, they are not required but recommended.
My child submitted Math 2 and Chemistry. I believe it’s more for class placement than admission. Though, if you had a deficit in another area I’m sure it couldn’t hurt. However, it sounds like DD’s stats in other areas are excellent so why muddy the waters?
At most colleges, depending on the school you’re coming from, recommended may almost mean required. The recommendation is intended for inclusion - a student who couldn’t afford SAT 2 or who is coming from a school where few students go to college and didn’t get good advice won’t be penalized for not having it. If you’re coming from a decent school in a middle class area, it is expected that you’ll take them. Lafayette may have a different policy on this, but unless they say "we don’t really care if you’ve taken these but we’ll look at them if they augment your application ", I would include them. Recommended is different from optional.
@gardenstategal , i understand that recommend means submit it. Almost nobody in our state takes the SAT subject tests. But, my question was/is what kind of scores is Lafayette looking for? Do they want 750+ or is ok to have a 700? My daughter has taken them, I am just wondering if she needs to take them again to get a higher score.
I also have an incoming Freshman (and she could not be more excited!). Her stats are very similar to your daughter’s - high unweighted and weighted GPA with all AP/Honors and ACT 34. She took 2 SAT subject tests early in high school and did well (730 and 750) but actually never submitted the scores…kind of wrote them off when she decided to focus on the ACT and they did not really add any new information about her. Perhaps a mistake for some schools but for Lafayette (and other similar schools) where demonstrated interest is important, I would say that is what will potentially make the difference between Admit and Waitlist. My daughter chose to interview and then was invited to the Marquis Assessment. She is also a STEM student and was admitted with Physics as her intended major with a generous scholarship. Lafayette has used her AP test scores and placement test scores to determine the level of some of her courses. The only SAT subject test that would make a difference for my daughter at this point is if she took her foreign language one and could place out of that requirement. Lafayette will actually allow her to take it over orientation if she wants to. So, for Lafayette I would not stress over the SAT subject tests if the rest of her resume is strong overall and in the same areas as the tests she took, but I would recommend she schedule an interview with Admissions if she has not done so already.
@pcmom1 , I think anything above a 700 would be more than fine. From my experience, demonstrated interest is important at this school. They want good students who want to be there, more than barn-burners who need enticement.
@JAGmom, thank you. We will be scheduling an interview very soon. We will not be able to visit campus before she applies as it is too expensive and too far to travel there. Any other suggestions on how to demonstrate interest?
Some ways to demonstrate interest:
–Request an alumni interview near where you live.
–Get on email list.
–If a Lafayette representative comes to your area (ex. giving a presentation, coming to your HS, at a local college fair) try to attend.
–Email your admissions rep IF you have any questions that can’t be answered by looking at the school website.
@pcmom1, you’re welcome. That’s a really good question. For us, we live within a reasonable distance and so my daughter was able to visit campus before applying. However, she did not submit her application until mid-December and then interviewed in early January (they do have a cut-off date for interviews sometime in January). After her interview she sent a handwritten thank you note to her interviewer in Admissions. Her experience with Lafayette Admissions was an very personable one - in our opinion they do a stellar job in that department. I think they understand that visiting campus is not always easy or feasible for everyone, so scheduling an interview even if it’s local to you is showing a good amount of interest. In addition to interviewing, your daughter should feel free to email her Admissions Rep with any questions before or after applying (if the info is not on their website like @happy1 said). If they happen to come to your area for a College Fair or to your daughter’s school, she should introduce herself to the Rep when possible. And, yes, she should get on their email list if she hasn’t already. Also, when Lafayette says they have strong relationships between the faculty and students, they actually mean it. My daughter has been in touch with several professors since she has been admitted (and one even beforehand when she attended the Marquis assessment). I’m sure if your daughter ever had questions that were department-specific, I would not be surprised if they connect her with a student or professor.
I’d think that Math 2 and Chemistry would be important for a Chemical Engineering applicant, but also being female and applying to engineering school should help.
@JAGmom brought up a great point about the admissions department. They truly are great and understanding. On the first day of classes I got an email from my admissions rep telling me that his door is always open and that he hoped I had a great first day of classes. I think this is truly evident of the community here at Laf
You could choose not to submit SAT2, because your GPA will get you in.