<p>Reed materials say the SATIIs are optional but "strongly" suggested. I haven't seen another college emphasize this. Does it mean, regardless of saying the tests are optional, an applicant is at a disadvantage if he/she doesn't take and submit them?</p>
<p>My daughter is a freshman at Reed this year and did not take the SATIIs. So, I think they are indeed optional - if your other application details are satisfactory.</p>
<p>If you read the fine print, it also sounds like Reed will look at AP exams as substitutes for the SAT subject tests. Therefore, if you have AP scores, you might be able to submit them instead to demonstrate your subject knowledge. Please verify this directly with admissions, however, but that is how I interpreted the information on their website and other literature.</p>
<p>it mean exactly what it says. if you really don't see a need for the sat ii, don't take it. but if you want to show certain academic "strengths" (like these tests really can measure that) over the failures of the SAT's design. the act will work just fine to solve both problems, since it actually challenges you.</p>
<p>The ACT is probably a good alternative for people who do better recalling practical information. Reed accepts it. Still, I notice that 95% of applicants to Reed do submit the SAT, so I'm not sure I'd want to buck the tide unless my SATs were less than stellar. Reed's academics tend very much toward the theoretical/abstract/philosophical.</p>
<p>All other data being equal (and, of course, they rarely are), I would say yes, assuming the results would be good. Given two otherwise equal borderline-admit candidates, the one submitting these good results (which the college has "requested") would have to be at an advantage.</p>
<p>the ACT is perfectly fine as a test, schools make sure that they treat them equally, but in some cases look at it more, since it is content-specific and doesn't represent biases as much. Reed doesn't care which one you submit to them, but i'd reccomend giving the ACT a good look if you're appliying to any other liberal arts schools/ivies, since they'll take one ACT over the SAT I & II mix they'd require otherwise. Reed is one of those places where the education is geared towards having a practical use.</p>