<p>I know that most schools now only require 2 SAT IIs, with the notable exceptions of schools like Harvard and Yale. I don't plan on applying to those schools, and the schools that I am most interested in require only two SAT IIs. However, my counselor told me that it would be good for be to take at least 3 SAT IIs and score highly on them because even though the schools only want two, they'll still see a bunch of high scores. He said that this was necessary because I've only taken one AP test (U.S. History, self-studied, got a 5) and I needed an extra SAT II to make up for it and hold my ground against kids who have like 4+ AP tests. I thought this was all rather silly, but then again, he's the counselor. I have already taken the SAT II U.S. History, and got an 800. I plan to take the Math IIC, and the Literature (although I don't want to). I'm wondering if what my counselor says is right, or if I am wasting my time prepping for the Lit SAT II.</p>
<p>bump bump bump</p>
<p>actually it all depends on wt course u plannin to do n where..
if ur doin engineeing u wud b better of doin physics, chemistry and math both levels.
if ur intrested in computers u cud do computer science..
additionally u cud contact the universities n find out their requirements n more the nthe number u can find out which satIIS they want..</p>
<p>Taking a third SAT II couldn't hurt, and like your counselor said, if could help you when you're competing for admissions against people with tons of AP tests (are AP classes/tests not offered at your school, or did you just not choose to take them?). If you do choose to take a third SAT II, what you should take depends on what you're going into. If you plan on majoring in any science or engineering, you should definately take a science SAT II test.</p>
<p>My school doesn't offer any APs until you finish the grade 12 curriculum. Some kids can do APs in grade 11 by taking lots of summer classes, but I didn't want to be uprooted from my peers. I did take one AP test, but that was self-studied (as I mentioned in my post). </p>
<p>I plan to apply to an LAC, thus the SAT II Lit.</p>
<p>Taking more than what is require will never hurt.</p>
<p>:)</p>
<p>but it will cost some money
:)</p>
<p>Ah, touche.</p>
<p>:)</p>
<p>the money is pretty trivial in the whole scheme of things.</p>
<p>SAT I, SAT II, and AP scores provide nationally normed data points which allow colleges to compare students who may have similar grades and course descriptions from very different high schools, and who may actually have very different levels of college prep. If a college has admitted many students from your high school and is very familiar with the rigor of the courses and grading, standardized test scores will be less important than if you are applying to colleges that will be unfamiliar with your high school. If you are applying to colleges that do not see many applicants from your high school, and you think your standardized test scores would be high, taking one or two extra can only help you.</p>
<p>"the money is pretty trivial in the whole scheme of things."
Not for everyone my friend.</p>
<p>
Well when you consider that you're going to be paying anywhere between $10,000 and $40,000 per year for college, an extra $8 for one more subject test is pretty trivial.</p>
<p>$8 each for an extra test or two might also decrease the number of applications you have to submit to feel confidant about getting in somewhere you will be happy about. Since app fees plus paying College Board to send scores comes out to be about $75 per app, the $8 is pretty insignificant. Another way of looking at it is that a student who spends an extra $8 on a test and applies to 8 schools is only paying $1 per school for a slightly improved chance of getting accepted. You'll spend that much on stamps if you send in paper-apps.</p>
<p>depends on what colleges you are interested in...</p>
<p>rumor on the left coast is that Stanford likes to "see" 3-4 SATII's, demonstrating strength across multiple disciplines (assuming high scores)....so in this instance, your GC is correct.</p>