<p>I've been toying with applying to Stanford if I finish the rest of my apps within the week. However, I have not taken any SAT II tests.</p>
<p>They officially say:</p>
<p>*SAT Subject Test Scores
We strongly recommend that you submit official results of two SAT Subject Tests: Math Level 2, if your math background has adequately prepared you for this, and one subject test of your own choosing. These tests can often be helpful supplements to a student's testing profile.</p>
<p>Because the SAT Reasoning Test or the ACT with the Writing Test is a required part of our application and the SAT Subject Tests are not, we advise you to take either of those before taking the SAT Subject Tests.*</p>
<p>So what do you think? Is it really optional? Or should I save my $80 because there is no way they'll accept me without SAT II?</p>
<p>Well, I'm from California and yes, Stanford [as well as any competitive California college, really] do require SAT IIs. I read that part of their site too...the part that reads it's optional, but everyone that applies from CA anyway, always takes them. As far as I know, even though they recommend you take Math Level II, you don't have too. Whatever you do, don't take Math Level I because they won't even look at them. If I were you, I would call Stanford's admissions line and ask them. If they tell you it is optional, then I guess save your money. :] Afterall, it seems SAT IIs are mostly used to see if you can skip entry level courses, etc.</p>
<p>I was in the same boat and someone told me on this board that they can't "subtract" anything from your chances because you don't have them, but it could add to someone else's chances.</p>
<p>hence the reason I withdrew my SCEA application and am now applying RD. I'm taking them in December, the last acceptable date!-- woofta!</p>
<p>Let me know if you hear anything else though...I tried calling an admin officer last week, but the phone numbers (three of them) kept saying they were "temporarily out of service."</p>
<p>
[quote] Because the SAT Reasoning Test or the ACT with the Writing Test is a required part of our application and the SAT Subject Tests are not, we advise you to take either of those before taking the SAT Subject Tests.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>This is really stupid advice. People should take SAT Subject Tests when they are best prepared for them, regardless of whether they have taken the SAT or ACT. For example, if you complete precalculus in 10th grade, it's a good idea to take the SAT Math II Subject Test at the end of the year before you forget all those precal topics.</p>
<p>Not necessarily--even if you don't agree with it I don't see the advice as 'stupid'. When you're in high school you can generally get back in the groove for an SAT II as long as you've finished the necessary course or courses in the not-too-distant past and dedicate sufficient time to a good review book.</p>
<p>You have only 2 more possible SAT test dates left to take any
SATII tests and have the results sent into Stanford before their deadline, so you need to decide quickly what tests you are going to take and when. it may already be too late to sign up for the Nov test.</p>
<p>Marian is right. If i could give one piece of advice to juniors, its TAKE THE SAT II'S RIGHT AFTER YOU TAKE THE CLASS. Students take classes for a lot of the popular SAT II's (like US history, Math 2, chem, physics, biology) during their sophomore and junior year.</p>