Should I retake SAT II in Jan?

Test Preparation SAT Subject Test Preparation
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<p>Hi everyone at CC...I'm an international student from China applying for American universities. I've just received my Dec SAT II scores. Here's some relevant sats:
Dec scores:
Math Level 2: 800
Physics: 710</p>

<p>Colleges I'm applying to:
Cornell
Brown
Northwestern
WashU in SL
Tufts
UVa
U Michigan Ann Arbor
USC
U Illinois Urbana-Champaign
U Washington Seatle</p>

<p>...and Harvard & UPenn...I didn't put them up there cuz they're like, far reach schools...I'm not expecting too much, just give it a shot...</p>

<p>Most Chinese applicants (esp international Chinese applicants) score triple 800 in Math, Physics and Chem, and as far as I know, I'm competing against them and the rest in the international pool.</p>

<p>I know, I totally screwed my Physics test that day...I haven't studied Physics for more than a year by then and I had a major must-avoid-on-test-day blunder that day...I think if I take it again, I would definately do better, maybe around 780. </p>

<p>And if I submit my Dec scores, the Physics part would clearly be a huge disadvantage...perhaps suicidal, since it contradicts the grades on my high school transcript (which mostly are pretty high)</p>

<p>So my question is, should I retake SAT II in Jan? I checked all my colleges' website, and all of them say "the last acceptable test day is January 2010, however we strongly recommend you finish all your tests by Dec".</p>

<p>If, say, I will retake them in Jan., should I send my Dec. SAT II scores now (to make it to the deadline) and send new scores when they come out in Jan., or, can I choose to send my better score in jan. along with Math score in Dec. when Jan. test scores are available? Would the latter way jeopardize my whole application (like, they won't view your whole app until all the required files are in)?</p>

<p>And lastly, for those colleges that don't require SAT II (some say "recommended", others "consider if submit"), should I send only my Math Level 2, or should I not submit at all?</p>

<p>Phew...a lot of questions...
So thanks for anyone who is still reading my post, and please, please reply!! Thanks!!!!!!!</p>

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<p>If you’re very sure you’ll do much better on Physics if you retake it, then do it, by all means. Most schools accept January scores. I personally would wait until January scores are available before sending them along with the December scores; if they say it’s acceptable I doubt it’s going to affect your app in a tangible way.
For the last question, again, if you do much better on your Physics retake, why not submit both?</p>

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<p>Hey, sorry to boardjack (that’s a word…now…) your thread, but I’m got a similar situation: Tufts is my 1st choice, and I’m looking to major in Physics. My SAT II’s are 740 in Math Level II and 670 in Physics. Do you think I should retake them? I’m fairly certain I can bring my scores up…I’m just stressing out about it right now.</p>

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<p>praisebetoFSM:
Well, everyone adviced me to retake them, if I’m sure I can do much better…
So I guess my advice is yes then. Plus you don’t really have to (I assume) travel across the country to retake them…I mean, it’s like now or never, right? So I’m planning to just give it a shot…But do hurry up, I’m not sure if there’s a late registration deadline or anything for US residents, for I registered on the last available day (Dec. 23rd).</p>

<p>Just a thought, not meaning to cheat or anything, I’m still agonizing over the Tufts optional essay…gosh mine just sucks…</p>

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<p>I gave up on Harvard. The reason:</p>

<p>I sent them an inquiry about whether I can give the January scores to them since Jan24 is the deadline, and the test is on Jan23. About 2 weeks later? They gave me a message: Thank you for your interest in applying to Harvard. Your question:… And do you know what their answer was? We accept credit cards. Wow… blasphemy.</p>