<p>I've completed Math I and Bio back in Oct, got really decent scores. I sent these scores, along with my SAT 1, to Rice. However, on a pretty recent decision, I took the SAT Phys in Dec. </p>
<p>Do I really need to send this last score??? I mean, I've fulfilled the requirements for Rice. Why should I send in another score, especially as I believe that this will hurt my app??? I don't want to cancel my score!</p>
<p>(is it just me, or does it sound suspicious if colleges want all your sat subject scores - of different subjects - and promise that they'll only see the top ones? Why would they need all to be sent then?)</p>
<p>I e-mailed the rep, he said Rice uses only the top two scores but requires me to report all SAT testing.</p>
<p>I just don’t understand. If they’re only using the top two scores, then why would they need my entire SAT II tests… Doesn’t that mean that all my scores are being considered after all?</p>
<p>And PLME, thanks, but I’ve read all the official sources. All I gather from those websites is that Rice requires all tests for SAT I. The policy regarding SAT II is murky. </p>
<p>They choose to review your scores in context - are they the only two tests you took, or are they the BEST two tests? The whole point of a holistic approach is to put everything into context, not to simply have cutoff scores, and rank by score.</p>
<p>The policy is not murky, you got your answer for their rep - they require you to report all scores. Would you rather they wrote “SAT-I and at least two SAT-II?” You had the advantage of taking a third subject test, not all students can afford to do so. The only way your score will hurt you is if you absolutely bombed it; otherwise it shows that you have some knowledge in yet another science.</p>
<p>OK. That explanation actually made sense. I’ve been trying to look for an answer. Thanks for clearing that up for me. (and the murky policy is actually about the website one. The answer that the rep sent me is, indeed, clear.)</p>
<p>Just for clarification - what score counts as a total failure? What about the 600 range? I read that Phys average if about 650, so that worries me. </p>
<p>Also, if I DID bomb it (i.e. a score of 500), then will it set me back further than applicants who only took two subject tests but score perfectly on both of them? What do you suggest if I do get a low score? </p>
<p>The problem is you are looking at your score compared to the “norms” you see at this website. You have to consider your score in context - who takes the Physics test? </p>
<p>Not all students take physics before senior year of HS
Of those who do, most don’t need to take the test, because it’s not required for admission at less competitive schools. This means the students taking the test are those who did well in the class, and are applying to selective colleges. That explains the higher average test score, 650. The students scoring 650 on the physics exam are also likely to have scored at least as well on the math portion of the SAT-I.</p>
<p>Now put it in the context of your own application. When did you take physics? I’m assuming you took physics last year, finishing in May or June, and you took the subject test in December, many months later. Or are you taking it now, part way into your physics class? The only way I see a lower score being a problem is if you took an honors physics class last year, and are taking another (perhaps AP) physics class currently, so the material is still fresh. Otherwise, I wouldn’t consider 500 to be bombing the test. Not a great score perhaps, but not an indication that you were out of your league. </p>
<p>Unless you took Physics last year, got an A then, and are currently taking another Physics class with good grades, it’s not going to make you look any worse than the person with 2 perfect scores than just your 2 decent scores on Math and Biology. There is a reason most decent guidance counselors advise students to take subject tests in May of June, particularly for science and history, where their next class may be somewhat unrelated.</p>
<p>Well, I’m from Thailand and the curriculum is quite different. I actually score well in Phys (>93) which I guess is an A? I have an accelerated year and has finished school by July . My performance has been consistent throughout my high school career. Will this convince the admission officers that my (supposedly bad) Subject test score is a fluke? </p>
<p>And unfortunately, I’m applying this year. So I’m worried that Rice will see my third subject score negatively.</p>
<p>Thanks for the explanation, CTScoutmom. It helped a lot.</p>
<p>PS: Other highly selective schools (e.g. Stanford) with all-scores-policy do allow score-choice for SAT ii. Rice does not allow SATii-score-choice (yes, they could have stated it explicitly), but “murky” it is clearly not.</p>
<p>I’ve been wondering if I should cancel my score too. But it cost international students about 50 bucks, and I’ve studied hard for the test, too, so I feel like it’s not worth it.</p>
<p>I took the last SAT because Georgetown requires it. Still, Georgetown is a uni that I might drop if it will cost me my Rice app. I just feel like it’s a waste if I turn out to have a decent score, and I won’t know because I cancelled it. Also, I’m considering JHU and it recommends 3 SAT subjects. I suppose ‘recommended’ is not ‘required’, but still…</p>
<p>My memories regarding the test are kind of… blank. I remember getting about 5 questions blank, and about 10 wrong. I’m pretty sure I screwed up more than that. </p>
<p>But I don’t think I’m canceling. I can be rejected of numerous other reasons than one subject score anyway ^^" besides, I have two other scores, so I’m just gonna trust Rice’s word about considering only the top two scores. </p>
<p>Yeah, I didn’t use the right word regarding the policy. Sorry about that.</p>