<p>It seems like most schools do not require SAT subject tests anymore. Do you think it is useful to send the scores anyways? Or more specifically what would be the minumum score that would be worthwhile to send? Obviously I am expecting the answer to depend on the school... so how about considering these schools? SUNY Bing, SUNY Albany, U of Rochester, Lafayette, Lehigh, Syracuse, U of Buffalo, BU, UConn, WPI, RIT, UMass Amherst.</p>
<p>When I call the schools, they say not required.</p>
<p>If you have an idea for even one school on this list, I would appreciate it.
Thanks.</p>
<p>I think send any score above a 700 would be nice, but usually when a college doesn’t need anything, they really don’t need it, since they have to go through tons of materials from tons of students</p>
<p>When my son visited a school that did not require SAT Subject Test scores, another student at the information session asked whether students who had these scores should send them anyway, even though they were not required.</p>
<p>The admissions person running the session replied, “You can send them if you want to. But we’re not going to look at them.”</p>
<p>There may be special cases that may vary by school, such as:</p>
<ul>
<li>Recommended or required for specific majors or divisions.</li>
<li>Showing foreign language proficiency in the absence of high school course work (e.g. for native or heritage speakers, or those who had the language in elementary school in another country or immersion program).</li>
<li>Home schooled students.</li>
</ul>
<p>Depends on where you’re applying, as well as the field. When our S was applying for engineering in 2006, nearly all the Us he applied to wanted at least 3 subject SATs, including Math2. He got well over 700 on all his tests & sent them with his apps.</p>
<p>From the CollegeBoard website, here is a link to a list of institutions using subject tests. They either require, recommend, or use them for placement. Several of the schools you listed are on this list. I would assume they are using them for placement. Probably language subject tests, sometimes math 2 or literature. Any school appearing on the list below that your student is applying to I would verify which tests they use and if it’s for placement (since they’ve told you they don’t use them for admissions). You may not want to send scores to multiple schools simply for placement purposes. I’d wait until your student decides where they are going and send any applicable tests in May.</p>
<p>My DS has very good SATII scores (over 700) and I sent them to the schools he is applying to (including Lehigh and Lafayette from your list). Last night we went to a local University of Miami info session and the rep said they do not consider for admissions and do not consider for merit. Oh well. He will be getting DS’ anyway. He is applying for engineering and his subject tests are in Math II, Chem and Phys. Definitely can’t hurt, except my wallet.</p>
<p>Three years ago, my DD applied to other schools on your list: Binghamton, Albany, Buffalo, UConn and hadn’t taken any subject tests (got into all except WL at Bing).</p>
<p>Again - thank you very much for your replies. Very helpful. Interestingly, my S and could not find any data indicating what SAT subject scores are required, (unlike the SAT and ACT, where ranges are readily available). I appreciate learning that 700+ for the schools on S’s list are worth sending. </p>
<p>Note to HIMom - believe it or not, a lot has changed in the 6 short years since your S applied. SAT subject tests are not required as frequently as they were just a few years ago.</p>
<p>We ended up skipping SAT 2 tests since no schools my guys wanted required them. Middle son did axe one possible school from his list since they were the ONLY school who wanted them and he didn’t feel like taking 2 tests for one school when there were others equally as good who didn’t want them. It certainly didn’t hurt their acceptances or merit aid.</p>
<p>We did check with admissions before making that decision. They told us they don’t look at them… and one specifically told us, “If a student can do well on the SAT/ACT/AP they are going to do well on any test they take. We don’t need an overload of tests to know they test well nor want the kids to spend their time on testing.”</p>
<p>YMMV - Definitely check with schools (as it seems you have).</p>
<p>Just as a ps… I am likely to have my youngest take the Bio test. Our school doesn’t offer AP nor is he willing to self-study for them (as my older son did). Since his “normal” test scores aren’t likely to be as high, I do want them to know he’s definitely skilled in “his field.” It may help with his acceptances. Or maybe I’m kidding myself…</p>
<p>Most of the schools our DD’12 applied to required 2 SAT Subject Matter tests. DS’14 will take a couple after the APs in June, just to cover all the bases.</p>
<p>Yes, lots of the top colleges require them and it is more common for engineering schools to require them as well.
One loophole we found with many schools on my son’s list: If you submit ACT scores, then you don’t need to send SAT subject scores. Apparently this is because the ACT has a science component while the SAT does not. So a good score on the ACT means you can “do” science.
It surprised me to see this loophole. My son said that science part of the ACT was much easier than any SAT subject test he took ;-)</p>
<p>Bottom line: double-check the website for each school on your list and read carefully!</p>
<p>My son took his SAT2 at the end of Junior yr. ( Math2/Chem/World history) not knowing whether they would be required or not by the ones where he’s applying. As he said, at least he’s done with it and doesn’t have to worry. We sat in on a few college info sessions over the summer where the AdCom mentioned requiring one or two SAT2 and heard gasps from people that hadn’t taken any. I don’t blame him for wanting to be off the standardized treadmill and know that he can send the scores and if they use them, great. IF not, nothing ventured…</p>
<p>LINY Mom- was that U Miami in Florida?? Friends of ours’ daughter got a large merit scholarship there and IIRC she mentioned that they considered GPA, SAT and the ** SAT2 ** for the scholarship as well as an interview weekend. It may be one of those situations that they don’t look at it but if it wows them (800,790,760) they consider it…Who knows what ever goes on behind those doors???</p>