SAT vs Subject tests

[Lilpeezee1]

I am currently a high school senior, and I plan to apply early action to Harvard. I have a 4.79 GPA, and I also have a 1420 SAT score (750 math and 670 verbal). I am having a problem deciding on whether I should take the SAT in October or take subject tests. I would like to get my score up, but I don’t want to be declined because I don’t have Subject test scores. Will not having subject test scores hurt my application? Or should I aim to raise my SAT score? I got 3’s in AP Chem and AP Calc AB, 4’s in APUSH, Microeconomics, European History, and a 5 in AP Language and Composition.

[Eeyore123]

Unless you have something really strong not GPA or test based, I would concentrate on other schools.

[marvin100]

I agree with @Eeyore123 , but if you do apply to Harvard, lack of SAT subject tests will almost certainly be a disadvantage. From Harvard’s site:

While we recommend that you submit two SAT Subject Tests, you may apply without them if the cost of the tests represents a financial hardship or if you prefer to have your application considered without them.

@Lilpeezee1

[momofboiler1]

You will need the SAT II subject tests.

[gibby]

In recent Harvard Crimson survey’s of the admitted freshman class, the average self-reported SAT score has been a 2228 on the old 3-part SAT, which translates to a 1530 on the new SAT (https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/pdf/higher-ed-brief-sat-concordance.pdf).

As such, your SAT score is a full 100 points below the average admit for Harvard. IMHO, If you apply SCEA to Harvard with your SAT score, your application will get buried by the Polly Perfect’s of this world and you stand a good chance of being deferred, which is really a waste of your early shot.

I suggest you retake the SAT, apply early to other non-binding colleges and apply to Harvard in the RD round.

Best of luck to you!

FWIW: I’ve posted the below before but here it is again (You have a sub-2200 SAT on the old 3-part SAT):

SCEA is not for everyone – it is SUPER competitive. Having been through this with both my kids, here’s my advice:

If you have a 2200+ SAT, with lots of AP classes and AP tests (all with 4’s and 5’s) and an unweighted GPA above 95 (on a 1-100 scale) or an unweighted GPA of 3.9 (on a 1-4 scale), and are ranked in the top 1% to 3% of your graduating class, then you should apply to HYP or S in the SCEA round. Pick a school, whichever one is your favorite, and apply, as the odds tend to be better for high-end students in the early round, no matter what Admissions says otherwise.

If you have a sub-2200 SAT or the ACT equivalent, and are ranked in the top 4% to 10% of your high school’s graduating class, then you should NOT apply SCEA, as there is a high probability that your application will get buried by the polly-perfect’s of this world, and there is a high probability you will be deferred.

Instead, student’s with sub-2200 SAT’s, and ranked in the top 4% to 10% of their graduating class should apply to a broad range of non-binding colleges early and apply to HYPS in the RD round.

[hgrad2010]

I would apply early dec/action at a less competitive school than HYPS (like gibby mentioned).

[mamaedefamilia]

I would take the subject tests and maybe give the ACT a try. Take a practice test under timed conditions and see how it compares.