Subject Tests: 750, 740, and 420

Colleges & Universities A-Z Georgetown University
1

<p>I'm a mom asking on behalf of an applicant. </p>

<p>According to the Georgetown website, the school recommends 3 SAT subject tests. We all know that "strongly recommends" is actually code for "requires." Especially when explained like this:

[quote]
SAT Subject Tests</p>

<p>It is strongly recommended that all candidates, whether they have taken the SAT Reasoning Test or the ACT, submit three SAT Subject Tests scores. The scores from writing portion on the SAT Reasoning Test and the optional writing portion of the ACT will not be used in place of a Subject Test. </p>

<p>*Note to Early Action Applicants:</p>

<p>Given the Early Action deadline of November 1, the Committee on Admissions recognizes that applicants may not be able to meet the SAT Subject Test requirements. Those candidates are welcome to submit an Early Action application, and the application will be considered complete and reviewed in its entirety. Candidates applying under the Early Action plan who have not yet taken three Subject Tests should still register to take the tests in the event they are deferred from Early Action to Regular Decision. If there are extenuating circumstances which prevent an applicant from submitting three SAT Subject Test scores, the applicant should provide a written explanation to the Committee on Admissions to be included with the application.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>So, if your Subject Test scores were 750, 740, and 420, would you bother applying to Georgetown? (SAT M + CR = 1440.)</p>

<p>ETA: Rank 8/300 and UWGPA = 3.96</p>

<p>Retaking the 420 is out of the question for this student. She refuses.</p>

2

<p>may as well apply but I am confused?</p>

<p>wait…let me understand this…he/she can apply EA, not submit the SATII’s (due to score choice), and be admitted?</p>

<p>or alternatively, if deferred, take them again and not show the 420?</p>

<p>I understand that she doesn’t want to take them again, but am I reading this correctly?</p>

<p>Sorry if I’m being an idiot on this…score choice in this case is confusing</p>

3

<p>Yes, it is confusing. To me, it says “give us 3 subject tests as soon as you have them. And if we don’t get them by Nov 1, expect to be deferred.” :wink: :rolleyes:</p>

4

<p>This is my understanding (from speaking with one of the Adcoms) of the 3 Subject Test Recommendation… they are in fact “required”… there are some instances where applicants were admitted EA/RD with less than 3, but they are either URM, special/extenuating circumstances, or generally a stellar candidate…</p>

5

<p>sophomore12, in your discussions, did the adcom indicate whether one bad subject test would make the entire application futile?</p>

6

<p>I’m applying with 0 SAT II’s and a 33 ACT. If I get deferred I will be required to submit 3 SAT II’s otherwise if I get in I’m fine.</p>

7

<p>Reading this again I found this line “Those candidates are welcome to submit an Early Action application, and the application will be considered complete and reviewed in its entirety”. Unless they’re lying to us, then my application will be considered fully even without the 3 subject tests. I’m signed up to take the ones in November though.</p>

8

<p>^^ that’s what I’m referring to…that line…but with the new score choice policy, couldn’t a student who tanked one exam (like the OP’s acquaintance) just not submit for EA and then if they are deferred, retake and submit the new (better) score with the two good ones already taken…</p>

<p>weird…unless DB is right and they just defer everybody who hasn’t taken them yet?</p>

9

<p>Not get defered. Your application will be reviewed in its entirity. If it is good enough to get in you will.</p>

10

<p>

</p>

<p>Short answer; NO
Prospective students do not base college applications on SAT II scores. So, in that regard, Will you please supply us with a more in depth resume of your prospective applicant? The data you shared seems a little suspect.</p>

11

<p>I don’t think one bad test will break an application (if everything else is stellar)… I know I bombed one of the SAT IIs back in the day (I think mid-600s)… can your applicant maybe take another test? The 420 score just seems like a huge outlier amidst 700+ scores everywhere else…</p>

12

<p>An above post says if the 3rd SAT II is not received by the college by Nov. 1, expect to be deferred.</p>

<p>I don’t read the policy that way. I read it that you should probably have 2 sat IIs submitted by Nov. 1 (which is consistent with most other selective colleges) and show on the application that you are scheduled for the 3rd SAT II. They say the 3rd sat II is be submitted to be considered for regular decision.</p>

<p>Georgetown is apparently the only college that wants 3 sat IIs. I can’t believe they would be overly rigid about wanting all 3 sat IIs by the early action deadline, because they would reduce their applicant pool. Georgetown’s applications actually did decrease over the last couple years.</p>

13

<p>Why doesn’t your daughter take another subject test? The adcom will only look at the 3 best SAT IIs, it’s like superscoring for SATs. She should just take another one that she will do better than 420 on.</p>

14

<p>Rainbsprinkles expressed my sentiments perfectly. Even if she refuses to retake that 420 she could take any of the several other subject tests offered by College Board and just submit that score along with the two other subject test scores.</p>

15

<p>Thanks for all the input, everyone. However, it looks like it’s a moot point. Georgetown has fallen out of favor.</p>