So I know that middle/upper-class kids are supposed to take the subject tests, but I’m in a little hole right now. My parents, while they are making 150k+ per year, aren’t very supportive in my test taking endeavors. They paid for my first SAT, but any subsequent SATs or ACT had to come out of my pocket. That was fine because I had a job and could pay for them at the time, but I’m out of one now. I know they won’t pay for any subject tests, and I don’t know if I can take one between now and the EA deadlines. Should I go ahead and submit what I have without the subject tests to schools like Northwestern, UPenn, Michigan, etc. or wait to RD and hope I can find some income to pay for my tests? Basically, how important are these subject tests to the schools I am aiming for?
Have your discussed paying for college with your parents? At that income level, there will likely be a substantial expected family contribution - far more than you would be able to pay yourself or borrow to cover. No point in getting accepted if they won’t be affordable.
Yes, if they won’t pay for recommended subject tests, they may not be willing to pay for your college.
Yeah, we’ve talked about finances and such, and I’ve applied to a lot of scholarships. They’ll be more than happy to pay to get me to leave. They just don’t really care about much else I do - including subject tests. I guess they just don’t want to spend more money on me than they have to, and they don’t value tests like that.
It is hard to believe you can’t work out some kind of arrangement where they lend you the money for the subject tests and you pay them when you get another job. Even some part-time babysitting should get you the money you need.
Most schools don’t require subject tests, but some recommend them so you don’t necessarily need them to get into college. You could get a part time job until you find the money to pay for the subject tests. In today’s day an age, there are a loottt of ways to earn money: babysitting, mowing lawns, online surveys, yard sales, etc. so you can probably find the money somehow. Just remember to take more than one in one sitting.
If you are applying RD you have until January to submit your subject tests so there’s still time. Can you get the funds by December and take them then?
I’m sorry about this situation, and I do think it’s an important to have a conversation sooner rather than later to know how much they’re willing to commit to pay for college and how that compares to your EFC. This information could change the colleges you apply to – for example, may lead you to ones that may provide merit aid.
Get your guidance counselor involved. Maybe s/he can embarrass them into paying or at least lending you the money. Also, read each college’s web site carefully because some will take AP Exams or SAT Subject Tests. If you are going to have an equally difficult time getting them to pay for AP Exams, you may want to fight this battle over the APs over the subject tests. Worst case scenario, these are optional for many schools and your GC can explain in her LOR that you weren’t not fully supported and were not able to take them. I agree with the other posters about having a conversation with your parents now about whether or not they plan to contribute to your college.
Are they paying for your applications? Will they pay to have your scores sent? These are questions you need answers to now, or you’ll be dead in the water
from my admittedly quick research, looks like UM does not list them at all in their requirements, their FAQ, does say if you submit, they would be used only for your benefit, so I think you’re fine there. Northwestern recommends so that would but my impression is that it’s not going to hurt you. Penn however, I get the impression, wants to see them.
lot will also depend on your major, typically stem programs require or recommend subject tests more often than non-stem.
Sorry for my inactivity, and thank you guys for your suggestions. I am paying for my applications. I do have money right now, but it’s pretty much all going to my applications, insurance, and my college savings. My parents will help pay for my college - the reason why they won’t pay for my subject tests is because they don’t think they really matter. They write it off as a waste of time and money, and I don’t really have much wiggle room with my money at the moment. If absolutely necessary, I could pull money from my savings, however, I really don’t want to resort to that. My question was really how important is it to have these subject tests for the colleges that I want to get in to like Northwestern, UMich, UPenn, etc. I know they give you an advantage, but I don’t want to dip into my college savings for a test that isn’t really that necessary. Thank you guys!
The answer depends upon the school. They are not required for Michigan, but they are “recommended” for Penn. Particularly for top private colleges, you should interpret “recommended” as “required” unless you are very low SES. “My parents don’t want to pay” or “I don’t want to dip into my savings” is not in the same league as legitimately poor.
Another way of looking at it is that these elite schools get 40K applications for 2K spaces. If you really want to go there, I fail to see why you would not want to make your application as strong as possible.
You live in Georgia. If your parents are having a hard time cost justifying subject test cost, I don’t see them paying $65k/ year at UMich vs instate at UGA. If your parents are really on board with being at or near full pay at those schools, they should have no issue with the test cost. You need to have a real conversation with real hard numbers with your parents about college cost. It is better now than in April.
Alright, thank you for your answer. The earliest I can take the subject tests would be October 6th with scores being released October 19th. That’s already past Georgia Tech’s early admission and under two weeks before other colleges. Is it too late to take them now before EA? I know on their sites, it says October is the SAT deadline, so does that extend to SAT Subject Tests as well? If I can’t get it my EA, should I wait until RD or take advantage of EA anyway? Sorry about all the questions.