For the prestigious schools I’m applying to–Northwestern, Cornell, Wash U, Vanderbilt, Hopkins–their websites say subjects test scores are optional. Are they really though? My scores really aren’t phenomenal, and I don’t think they reflect my performance in school that well, and I regret not studying. I have a 760 in Chemistry (76th %ile), 720 in Math Level 2 (50th %ile), and 710 in Biology Ecological (76th %ile). Which scores are worth submitting? Thank you so much !
The only people for whom they’re optional are people who attend lower performing schools where no one’s heard of subject tests in the first place.
If you attend a good school, you should send them. Percentiles don’t matter. Send the 760 and the 720.
Thank you the advice, will do.
From Hopkins website:
I know many people on cc share @MYOS1634 's viewpoint but I don’t. I accept what a college posts on its website, as in the quote above. When they say not submitting scores will not negatively affect you, I believe them, and I don’t think they are only referring to applicants from substandard schools. Just my opinion, only adcoms know if a college is blatantly lying on their website.
I can’t tell you off the top of my head how your scores stack up to other applicants, nor do I think percentiles don’t matter. If you were my child, you and I would carefully read each college’s preferences/requirements, research scores of entering classes or applicants, and make a decision for each college individually.
For Hopkins, I would say submit if you think your scores “demonstrate an academic strength” or if you are applying to engineering. If your scores as compared to other engineering applicants are not that great, that would be a tough call.
I wouldn’t send the math score unless they require it. Send the other 2. Percentiles do matter, and colleges are aware of them.
Well shoot I already submitted all scores to all schools… oh well
The general adage is, if they help support your application, send them. Put forth the strongest application possible. Anything above a 700 is ok, though of course the higher the better.
@MYOS1634 @alooknac @intparent @jym626 Thanks for the advice. And yeah, I am applying for chemical engineering and am planning to pursue a specialization or minor in biochemistry/biotech at the schools where they are available. I decided to submit all scores.
“Optional” and “recommended” for subject tests imply different things.
Any subject test should show a strength in that subject, not a weakness. If you have an A in the subject AP course you have already showed strength in that subject (or a 5 if you have taken the AP test already). If you had a B in a subject than you would want to send in a high subject test score (750+) to counter the B.
“When they say not submitting scores will not negatively affect you, I believe them…”
Well, you can. But for any highly competitive college, ‘not affecting negatively’ doesn’t mean you’re putting yourself in a positive position when compared with other kids who do supply strong scores. In any immense competition, it helps to consider what you’re giving adcoms to work with. Not submitting scores doesn’t give adcoms that info to work with. They don’t just guess, based on a grade. These are, after all, standardized tests, meant to back up the grade.
Slightly different but related question: if the student reported the highest two SAT Subject Test scores in the Common App, does he still need to spend money and order official scores for the “optional” tests?
@bogeyorpar Yes, you must send in official scores. Same goes for other test scores as well, and your official transcript.
If it’s reported on the transcript or uploaded (for instance in “optional report”) by the guidance counselor you don’t.
You can also email each university to ask them whether they want an official copy of the SAT Subject scores sent.