<p>i'm applying to stanford as a transfer applicant and, on their website, they say they strongly recommend (though they don't require) the sat subject test in math level 2. </p>
<p>i took the level 1 in high school and it has been a few years now since i've done any math at all. i'm very out of practice and worry that I won't be able to score higher than high 600s. i know that this test is supposedly easier and that many students get 800s and i feel wary about it for just this reason: how is stanford going to feel if i score lowly...they'll be comparing these scores to a bunch of 800s from other applicants and to my previous, higher (mid-high 700s) scores in math level 1 and in the sat reasoning test.</p>
<p>so here's my question and the important stuff: i'm a transfer student, an ENGLISH major, and i have enough sat subject tests for stanford i just dont have the "strongly recommended" math level 2....should i bother studying for it and risk taking it?</p>
<p>I think it's important that you understand the BIG picture about trying to transfer into Stanford- It's almost impossible. Last year they accepted only 20/1400= less than 2% were accepted, which is a MUCH lower acceptance rate than for those applying as a freshman. If you didn't have the Grades/ Stats to qualify for acceptance as a freshman, then you are most probably wasting your transfer application fee $. Sorry to be blunt.</p>
<p>Yeah trying to transfer to HYPS or any top college for that matter is pretty tough =[</p>
<p>yes, i realize how difficult it is to get in to schools like stanford but i'm still going to apply...no harm in doing that. and while i certainly don't expect to get in, i don't think it's completely hopeless either. i did NOT apply as a freshman, although i had good high school grades from a competitive private school (above 4.0 average), lots of ECs, great recs, 1470 SAT and 800/760/730 SAT 2 scores (my new SAT score would be 2270). I go to Vassar now, a highly ranked LAC, have a 3.93 average, tons of ECs, and will have great recs from great prof.s (and have a grandpa who went there, although that probably doesnt help much).</p>
<p>so...yes it's near impossible but that's true for anyone applying to stanford. do you think my case is especially hopeless??</p>
<p>anyway...my question remains: should i bother with that pesky math level 2 even though im a transfer student english major, etc.?</p>
<p>No, especially if it's been years since you've taken math. Your case is not "especially hopeless", but you need to know what your probable chances are. You have about a 99% certainty that you will NOT get accepted, if Stanford has as few openings this year as last year, which were a result of unanticipated over-enrollment of the incoming Freshman class. That could happen again this year, with the # of Freshman applicants expected to rise because of the baby boomlet and with H and P dropping their early admissions programs. If you're fine with that and with asking your professors to take the time to write letters for you given those odds, then by all means, send them your money.</p>