I am applying to UVA and my subject test scores aren’t great (650 on Math 2 and 620 on Lit). Is it worth it to send them?
Also, for Georgetown, how bad is it if I don’t have 3 subject tests?
Georgetown is already very competitive. A candidate would be unnecessarily handicapping themselves by not following their admissions recommendation of submitting 3 tests.
what if one of my test scores is VERY bad (500)
How strong is the rest of your application?
SAT score is 1470, B+/A- range at a tough school, good essays. It’s defiantly a reach but I’m giving it my best shot
It all depends on your other credentials (mentioning UVA particularly). If you have a very competitive SAT score and GPA, low sat subject test scores are not necessary even if they may be recommended. Lower subject test scores coupled with a competitive GPA may cause the school to believe that your school gives out high grades rather easily. If your ST scores fit in accurately with the rest of your application, I would submit them because chances are it won’t drastically change your chances. It all boils down to whether or not you believe that the scores would harm your application.
GPA, class rank, course rigor, and ECs will all come into play.
You’ll be fine if you don’t send them to UVA. Georgetown, on the other hand, will be next to impossible. Georgetown emphasizes subject tests like pretty much no other school. They’re the only one that “recommends” three as well I believe. If you don’t have three good ones, don’t apply. Apply to another school like UChicago or some others that don’t emphasize subject tests nearly as much. My subject tests were bad as well, so I didn’t apply to Princeton as I opted for schools that didn’t emphasize them as much. I don’t think you should apply with those scores unless you can raise them by RD.
UVA no longer recommends subject tests but will consider them if submitted. You do not have to submit any subject test scores to it or can simply choose which ones to submit – your 650 and 620 are not really weak scores for UVA.
Georgetown however is different. It actually requires you to submit all test scores of all tests you have taken – SAT, ACT, and subject tests. (See “Test Requirements” on this page https://uadmissions.georgetown.edu/firstyear/preparation, where it states, “Georgetown University does not participate in the Score Choice option available through the College Board. Georgetown requires that you submit scores from all test sittings of the SAT, ACT, and SAT Subject Tests.”) Thus, you cannot withhold even that 500 score that you mention and low subject test scores are likely to be considered against you. Moreover, if you do not submit three subject tests, you are supposed to explain in your applicaiton why you cannot submit three, and, since it requires all scores, I am pretty sure the excuse that you do not want to provide them will not be considered adequate.