I’m so confused on how reporting scores work for SAT II subject tests. I know for AP tests you don’t have to send an official report until after you are accepted, but should I report my scores of 3’s and that 2 I received on AP U.S. History? And could someone please let me know these schools’ policies on reporting the SAT subject tests? Do I just self report these scores since on the common app there is a place to do that or do I need to send an official copy through CollegeBoard? And do all tests that I have taken need to be reported if I do (Math II, U.S. History, and Chem I didn’t do well on)? Thanks!
AP Scores: AP Bio (3), AP Calc AB (3), AP Government (4), AP Chinese (4), AP U.S. History (2), AP Chemistry (3), AP Psychology (4)
IB Scores: IB Psychology (5)
SAT Subject Tests: Math Level I (760), Math Level I (640), Chemistry (620), U.S. History (560) plan to take Math Level II again, Literature, and Chinese
These are the schools I plan on applying to (still trying to cut down on some schools if possible):
OSU
NYU
USC
Berkeley
UPenn
UMichigan
Emory
WashU in St. Louis
UNC
Indiana Bloomington
UCLA
UTexas
UVirginia
UChicago
Northwestern
CMU
Cornell
Columbia
Georgetown
SAT/ACT/Subject Tests scores are optional on the Common App. You can list them all, none, or some.
In order for the Subject Test scores to be considered in the admissions process, however, an official score report must be sent. As to which colleges will require all scores, you will need to look on their sites or contact admissions. Very few colleges require all Subject Test scores, but there are some that do[/ require them all.
Can I ask without trying to offend why you are applying to so many very competitive schools with these scores? Is your GPA really high or your ACT or something?
I don’t have very good scores (Unweighted GPA 3.73, Weighted 4.12, ACT 33 Composite, 35 Superscore), but I think my strong areas are my extracurriculars with multiple leadership positions. A lot of these schools are reaches but I want to see if I might get lucky and get in, or if they place a lot of value on my extracurriculars. Do you have any advice on which schools are definitely not realistic or not worth applying to? I’m interested in business if that changes anything. Also I have more info about my stats and extracurriculars on another on of my posts titled “narrowing down 27 schools” if that helps!
Your list has mostly schools that will be reaches. If you have enough time and money for apps and won’t get your feelings hurt then that’s fine to do. BUT do you have a budget from your parents because most of these will be expensive assuming you are OOS for all and you won’t be a candidate for merit? If you need merit $ you should look for some schools where your GPA and scores will put you in the top. Do any of these schools require SAT2s? I know most of them don’t and I would not send them unless they are required. I also would not self report any of your AP tests since you don’t want to report 2.s and if you report some I think they will assume the worst about the non-reported ones. You need a solid list of match schools and safeties (both in terms of admittance and budget). Unless you go to a very hard school where you are in the top % of your class your reaches are pretty far reaches.
What is your intended major and do you need merit aid to make tuition affordable? Are any of the schools on your list your state flagship?
Most of these schools are reaches for everyone. As noted above, your list should include some safeties. A 35 ACT superscore is great, and you should be psyched about that. When they consider your GPA they will look at rigor and see you have taken high level classes. But you hit a speed bump in the AP scores and SAT 2 results. Clearly you are intelligent, but the SAT 2 test scores are on the low side (I’m assuming you understand the scoring on subject tests is different from the regular SAT, right?). Some students just don’t do well on SAT format tests, and perhaps that is you. Or maybe it’s a preparation issue. Figure that out and proceed accordingly. If they aren’t required by schools, and you don’t do well despite preparation, I would stop taking the SAT2’s and spend that time working on the many essays you will have to do for applications.
AP results are a tougher subject, because it could hurt if you do show them and yet it is noticeable if you don’t. I would ask your advisor or a professional college counselor.
Consider dropping the schools that require you to submit all scores (Georgetown?) and pare down your list of reaches to just the schools you are serious about and are a good fit. Just because you get into a reach school doesn’t mean that it’s a good fit for you. Write down 10 characteristics that are important to you and really give it some thought. NYU and UTexas are very different places, for example. Add some safeties and targets.
I agree with jmek15. Your list of schools are quite varied, but also mostly reaches. I don’t know the stats at all of them well enough to say for certain. Consider what schools may be a good fit on selected criteria - think about what is important for you in a school. And add some safety (financial and academic) and match schools. Depending where you live your state school might be a good choice (maybe it is on the list - you don’t have to say here - this is for you to think about).
For specifics like SAT 2 requirements you have to check with each school - it is easily found on the school’s website.
@sweetmint What state are you from? Just wondering where your safety is. What is your major? I am wondering if Tulane could be in the running though it depends on the major.
I’m from Ohio. OSU is my safety school and I want to go into business. Most of the schools have the SAT II’s as considered, not required so would I need to send an official report instead of just self-reporting them on the common app? Also, if an official school is required would I need to send all my subject tests or only the ones I choose?
Most, but not all, colleges will require an official score report. Most, but not all, colleges will allow you to choose which Subject Tests to send.
As for which schools are the exception, you need to do the research yourself - colleges will list their requirements on their websites. Nobody here will know the answer for your 19(!!!) colleges off the top of their heads.
“I want to see if I might get lucky”
The only EC that tips is when you’re a recruited athlete. Other than that, there are no tippy tops that so value ECs that they ignore the academic reality. They need to see you’re prepared for the four years. I’m not sure you’ve matched yourself. Not stats, not the ECs you show on another thread.