My top schools are UCB, UCLA, and a few of the Claremonts (Pomona, Scripps, Pitzer). I haven’t taken any SAT 2s, as they are not required, but I’ve noticed that many of my peers have taken them. I have a 31 ACT (32 ss), a 4.51 GPA, and in my class’s top 10 percentile, maybe better (my school doesn’t rank). Will not having taken some SAT subject tests make me look like a weaker applicant, or as if I have not done everything in my power to get into my top colleges? I’ve signed up for the November lit sub test, and might take us history as well, but I’m not sure how I’ll do, as I haven’t studied much. Please help!
Depends upon the major you are applying for at UCB and UCLA. For top UC’s, recommended usually means required to be competitive. I am sure this can be said for the Claremont Colleges also. Anything that give you an extra bump in admissions can also help.
If this applies to you, then yes, you should probably make an effort to. (Essentially, unless you are from a lower socioeconomic status, you should try to take and score well on them).