Subject Test question

Colleges and Universities A-Z Harvard University
1

I know that Harvard no longer requires two subject tests, but I’m wondering which would be better:

  1. just send a 780 in math 2
  2. send a 780 in math 2 and a 690 in latin

Will the 690 hurt me or will it be better than only submitting one subject test? Please let me know your thoughts.

2

IMO, submitting only one will hurt you. Submitting two when one < 700 will hurt you. Which will hurt you more? Well, that’s the $65,609 question, I guess.

While Subject Tests are “recommended,” my belief is the reason many schools have switched to “recommended” is that some applicants from a lower socioeconomic status (SES) can’t afford more tests and/or the applicants attend a HS where no students apply to colleges where Subject Tests are requested, and therefore, may not have received the best advice from a GC.

If that does not apply to you, I am of the opinion that colleges at Harvard’s tier are expecting Subject Tests from all other applicants. Although everyone will have a story about someone who was admitted without Subject Tests, my view in these cases is that there was probably more to the story (e.g. seriously hooked or lower SES).