I know that Harvard no longer requires two subject tests, but I’m wondering which would be better:
Will the 690 hurt me or will it be better than only submitting one subject test? Please let me know your thoughts.
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).