I’m a prospective humanities major (think history and politics, math and philosophy, history and econ, or ppe) and I have will have four AP scores (all fives- micro, macro, calc ab, world history) by the time I apply to colleges in the UK; also, my SAT meets the mark for the schools I plan to apply to. If I take the math 2 subject test, will it be viewed as a separate test or simply another variation of Calc AB? I would very likely score 780+ on it, but I’m considering taking the French one (and probably getting around 720ish if I devote my time to studying for it) instead since it would be viewed as a separate subject. Probably applying to Oxford and St Andrews, FWIW.
A different subject would be better. (Is French AP an option?) However, continuing to Calc BC would be better than just AB if you do apply for PPE.
You will have to make a definite decision as to which subject or combination you want to apply for - you seem a bit vague about that atm.
From the Oxford Mathematical Institute website:
“Note that because the SAT Subject Test in Mathematics contains no calculus we consider this and AP Calculus to be separate subjects.”
BC will be essential for Maths & Phil. Almost as essential for PPE.
You need to think abut this from the UK perspective. Universities want to see proof mastery in three subjects relevant to the curse (ie the subject or combination of subjects) you’re applying for.
So, first you need to pick what those courses are going to be. Then check on the university website what they want to see… it’s not just any three.
World history may work for all of them.
Maths will be required for all combinations with maths or economics, but may be considered irrelevant for history and politics, Note that if A level maths is required, the equivalent would calc BC rather than AB. If the math 2 SAT has similar content to AB, it cannot be considered to show mastery of two different subjects.
Micro and macro will be considered the equivalent of one A level in economics, and will also probably work for all of them.
French might be of relevance for European history and politics, but it’s up to the university department you will be applying to whetter they are interested in your French score. Again - pickyour course, then check the websites!
@HazeGrey @Conformist1688 @Tigerle so when choosing between math 2 and French for a subject test, would the latter be better? I will take BC senior year (and comp gov + stat) and apply with predicted scores; theoretically, I’d apply for history and econ.
Your courseload seems to not be ideally suited to history. Remember that any UK history degree will have a heavy emphasis on Europe, so you’d want to add APMEH if it is offered at your school. Just one course in World History is going to be limited compared to the two course Euro and US history sequence other candidates may take. If it isn’t available then I’d find another European or British history course at CC for senior year.
Neither of these subject tests really matters, and you should already have three relevant APs (which you’ll really need to be absolutely sure of getting 5s in if you are taking them this spring).
Instead you need to read around the subject and understand what is required, and then prep for the Oxford admissions tests. Remember that admissions for any joint major is harder than for a single major also.
@Twoin18 if I applied to ppe, would your answer be different? what i mean is, would you suggest that I take the subj. test?
If you apply to PPE then these subject tests won’t really be relevant either, though an 800 on Math 2 is vaguely helpful. But a one hour subject test doesn’t show much compared to an AP course.
Then you’d need to do lots of reading about Philosophy in particular (since you already have some economics background) to prep for the interview. As @Tigerle said, identify your course first, then understand what it involves. Read around the subject, look at the course content and read the recommended first year books, get a subscription to the Economist. That’s what the UK students will be doing to prepare.
So, history and economics, possibly PPE.
According to the admissions websites, that’s history and maths “recommended” for one, “helpful” for the other.
So it’s good you’re taking calc BC, admission may be conditional on another 5 there.
I have to confess my ignorance of what “world history” comprises - is that supposed to read “rest of the world outside Europe and European dominated parts”? If so, I agree that adding European History may be a much better choice than stats, if possible, aim for another AP 5 in that. Remember that UK students will have spent two years on their history A level.
With econ, you’re good to go as far as APs are concerned.
Forget French.
Reread @Twoin18s posts (not just in your thread…that poster has counselled a lot of Oxford applicants). Then read read read!