I’m a little bit confused on Princeton’s policy regarding subject tests. Their website says “we recommend, but do not require, the submission of two SAT Subject Tests” however they go on to specifically say that"You will not be penalized for not submitting SAT Subject Tests IF the cost of taking the tests causes financial hardship." So if the subject tests are not a financial hardship, would that work against me? I don’t think I can do well enough on them for them to help my application and I graduate High school in the class of 2019, so I’m running out of time for the EA round anyway. Any insight would be appreciated!
I’ve posted the following numerous times on this site, but it bears repeating:
While Subject Tests are “recommended,” my belief is the reason many schools have switched to “recommended” is that some applicants from a lower socioeconomic status (SES) can’t afford more tests and/or the applicants attend a HS where no students apply to colleges where Subject Tests are requested, and therefore, may not have received the best advice from a GC.
If that does not apply to you, I am of the opinion that colleges at the top tier who request Subject Tests are expecting them from all other applicants. Although everyone will have a story about someone who was admitted without Subject Tests, my view in these cases is that there was probably more to the story (e.g. seriously hooked or lower SES).
Personally, I cannot imagine why an applicant to a school that rejects 95% of its applicants would choose to omit any part of an application. Of course, if you take them, and your scores are low, then yes, I would omit them. But I would not opt to forgo taking them in anticipation that they may be bad.
This question has also been asked before, so here are some other responses:
http://talk.qa.collegeconfidential.com/college-admissions/2027962-sat-subject-tests-are-not-truly-optional-for-middle-upper-middle-class-applicants-at-elite-colleges-p1.html
Good luck
But aren’t there fee waivers to address financial hardship? I’m pretty sure you can get fee waivers for a max of two subject test administrations, which amounts to a max of 6 subject tests in total.
I asked on the Y thread as well, do we need to inform them that this causes a financial burden?
There is also the concept that lower income applicants don’t have resources to get help studying for these tests so they don’t do as well, the colleges understand that and so not submitting will neither help nor hinder you.