Looking for guidance:
I have 690 on Subject SAT Physics and 780 on Math 2. For schools where 2 subject scores are recommended (but not required); can I send only 1 (my Math Level 2)? Would a 690 hurt my application? I want to major in Econ and there is no Subject Test for Econ.
I have a 1560 on the SAT, GPA and other parts of application are Good. Only the Subject SAT physics is bugging me.
Thanks In Advance.
Following. Interested to hear other’s opinions on this.
It probably depends on the school. For a place like UCLA Engineering, the subject tests are recommended, but an admissions counselor indicated to us that if you want the best chance to get in, you better take them.
I asked a college counselor a similar question and was told that it would not hurt you but it also would not help you so they suggested to not include the score (same situation where subject test were recommended, not required). That said, at @youcee mentioned, some schools say recommended but really do expect them and if your SAT score is an indication of your overall application, it sounds pretty strong with or without.
I’m speculating on this. My understanding of recommended was it was meant to encourage applications from kids who didnt have access to subject tests because of geographic or financial reasons. If you submit one test, you demonstrate you are not in that boat and depending on the rest of your application, that may already be apparent. They want them.
Given how strong all of your other test scores are, I would submit the 690. It’s a bit of an outlier but I would be shocked if it “ruined” your application. Not submitting raises more questions.
@gardenstategal, not highjacking just trying to understand the “recommended” part of the OP’s question. IF a high school doesn’t offer SAT subject tests (and doesn’t have a history or students taking Subject Tests) and a student takes it upon him/herself to go somewhere to take the Subject Test, gets 690 but has a strong app otherwise. Still submit cause it’s “recommended”? I am really interested to understand what “recommended” really means??
Whenever I see “recommend” in college admissions, I read it to mean “highly encouraged”. You are competing with other applicants who will be submitting the information and you put yourself at a disadvantage by not submitting it.
To the OP, I would submit all scores.
Agree with @gardenstategal “recommend” for highly selectives means submit unless you don’t have easy access to SAT2’s because of location or because of economic challenges. If you submit 1, submit both. A 690 in the grand scheme of things won’t be the reason why you get rejected especially coupled with your other strong test scores. Not submitting any scores or submitting only 1 score IMO is riskier.
I would submit both, the subject tests are the least considered part of the application and since you want to major in economics it shouldn’t be a problem.
@2019RuralMe – when they say recommended, it essentially means that they want it. It’s not the same as "test optional ". And for most students from most parts of the country and at certain types of high schools, they’ll have them.
There are students, however, who will have good reasons for not having subject tests and the schools want to be able to consider those applications.
So in the situation you have described, a student from a high school which would not generally have SAT2 test takers takes the tests but feels those scores would be a negative, I guess there’s a choice. It’s between submitting all SAT2 scores or none. The first shows initiative and a commitment to do what it takes to be a strong candidate despite the situation. The second hides possibly bad scores. But then again, the college may also consider the scores in the context ofthe high school’s quality. Clearly the best answer is “submit good scores”. On this, I would probably still submit. A 690 is not a bad score!
Thank you all. Based on what I have learned, I will submit the 690 where it is recommended. I will not volunteer it where it is not recommended or required.