UPenn Sat subject test debacle

So back last year and the beginning of this year I kept throwing out the option of taking the SAT subject test to my parents and they kept saying no. They always said I should focus on my job or school, whichever I was doing at the time and they also said they would not drive me or pay for it as the testing center was 20 minutes away and I don’t have a car or any friends taking the test. I was OK with this because all of my top schools said SAT subject tests were recommended and would not hurt my chance of application. Now that I actually am in the process I found out “recommended” means required for top schools and I feel screwed over. Would it be worth telling my top schools the scenario or should I just brave it out and hope that my other scores let me slide past. I already applied ED to an Ivy before I had this info so I can’t change that now either. Please help. Also if I contact them would they think I was irresponsible for not taking it my self or would they defer me and say I have to take it. I just need advice. Thanks in advance.

Also how much do SAT subject tests matter. Could I get in with out sending the email and with out the tests assuming I make up for it in other categories. (35 ACT and send mid quarter grades with an A in AP calc and AP Physics C to show I am good at math, also a really good supplemental letter to serve as a hook of sorts)

While they are not generally required, they are recommended at most schools. Usually, most of the applicants will be submitting them, so not having them isn’t great. That being said, if you are a strong applicant in other areas, not having subject tests will in no way get you automatically rejected from a school. If you can, register for the December testing date, and you could take a couple and see what your scores are to potentially submit them.

I would usually agree but that doesn’t work for me as I already applied ED to my top school wharton. Should I email them my scenario or just let it be.

The ACT with writing can be sent in lieu of the SAT and SAT Subject tests at Brown, Columbia, Duke, Penn, and Brown.
Subject tests are truly optional at U. Chicago.

Why don’t you see if you can do a late registration for some SAT Subject tests in November? You can take up to 3 tests (and for Foreign Language tests, it’s the only time they are given with the listening portion). It may be too late for your ED school, but it’ll be fine for RD.

There’s probably no harm in emailing admissions to ask (you can even tell your ED school that you are taking the Subject tests in Nov.), but I wouldn’t start sending supplemental letters unless they say you should and only if it adds another dimension to your application.

OK cool my ED school is Penn and I submitted the ACT with writing (35 comp 10 writing) but I thought they chanfged their policy so that didn’t work. Also unfortunately due to some extenuating circumstances I can’t take the November tests which really sucks

Why would you email them? To blame your parents? To say you didn’t realize it would be a good idea to.take recommended tests? Neither will help your case. Hopefully what you do present is strong enough.

I.agree that it would be a good idea to take the December tests.

Also.a.good supplemental LOR is not a hook.

Ya OK that’s what I thought. Not necessarily blame but kind of as I had no way to get there. Anyways I know the letter doesn’t count as a hook I mis-phrased it and meant it just as something to help me out a little bit. Also December tests wouldn’t work as I already applied ED and the decision comes out prior to when the December tests are even given

This is from the Penn website:

Recommended Testing
SAT Subject Tests are recommended but not required. Applicants who do not take SAT Subject Tests will not be at a disadvantage in the admissions process.

Take them at their word and don’t sweat it, unless there’s some way you can unextenuate your extenuating circumstances and find some way to take the November tests (you’d have to have the CB send the scores directly to Penn as they wouldn’t get there in time otherwise.

For an otherwise compelling application, Subject Tests probably won’t make or break your application.

Ok cool thanks, that’s what I always thought too and now everyone is telling me that there is pretty much a 0 percent chance if I don’t have the subject tests. Everyone is saying if you don’t have it it won’t hurt you but will instead just put you at a disadvantage. I don’t know what to believe tough.

It still worth to take the Dec test in case you are deferred. You can use it to strengthen your application, and use it for other RD applications.

The chance of deferral is much higher than acceptance. The ED rate of 25 percent is not evenly applied to anyone. A lot of recruits and others with hooks are admitted during the ED round, and Wharton takes the bulk of them. For people without hooks, the rate is much lower.

I suggested the December tests in case you are deferred or don’t get in.

Oh OK cool. I get it, I’ll sign up for the December test tonight. I just got confused because I thought you meant take the December for ED admission. Thanks

Ok cool ya I’ll take it and just hope I get deferred so I can send it

Personally, if I were you, I would “brave it out”. While I believe your story, admissions officers may simply view it as an excuse. I’ve heard that they don’t like reading sob stories (or stories of that nature). I wouldn’t want to risk hurting my image. Even if they believe your story the way that I do, the fact that you are missing the subject test scores will not change. As a fellow applicant, I totally emphasize with you. I know you must be stressing out but remember that your ACT score, GPA, EC’s, and essays will play a much bigger role in evaluating your candidacy. That said, if you are still concerned and believe your application will be stronger in two months, I would wait until RD. This is my advice. Good luck.

Ok ya I think I’ll just take December tests and hope I get deferred so I can send them then and not send the email. Also good luck.

If I were you, I would be hoping that I get in. Haha.

I mean ya that’s still the goal but with how much weight everyone around here is placing on the subject tests I feel like my chances are very slim as i already applied without them

You should hope you get in!!! If you get into Wharton and needlessly take the Subject tests then you can laugh about it. But best to be prepared for any eventuality.

Ya ok. I just feel like I have no chance now after this conversation but stranger things have happened. It would be nice to take the subject tests and just have them not matter.

“Recommended” often means that the college expects students in advantaged situations (e.g. those in upper middle class or wealthy district public schools, or academically high end private schools) to take the SAT subject tests, but that they do not want to exclude students in disadvantaged situations (e.g. those in schools where few go to college, and most who do go to the community college or local less selective state university) who may not have heard about them (from parents, teachers, counselors, or other students) before it is too late.

Your other posts indicate that you come from a very advantaged background. Treat “recommended” as “required” in your case.