<p>Would this be frowned upon? Do you think this would lower my chances?</p>
<p>official answer:
<a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/1060476378-post56.html%5B/url%5D">http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/1060476378-post56.html</a></p>
<p>ask anyone on here:
you should take them, if it says something is recommended it shows you're interested in the school if you do it.</p>
<p>"Not taking them does not hurt your application."</p>
<p>My D isn't going to take 'em. I think the ACT with writing component is a better test. Every college she has expressed interest in, including two Ivy League schools and most of the top LACs, accept the ACT with writing in lieu of the SAT I and SAT IIs. That's excellent. And the reason is the ACT is really a subject test, unlike the SAT I. The SAT I is really more about how good you are at taking tests than about subject matter mastery. Which is why SAT IIs are required or recommended by various schools. The SAT I doesn't suffciently test master of a subject, the ACT does. And my D feels zero urgency to test out of anything.</p>
<p>I heard someone at uva say that even though they aren't technically required, it's rare for someone to get in without submitting them.</p>
<p>i got in without submitting them. however, my stats were pretty good and I was in state; I had considered UVa as a safety. so I don't think I'm the norm. That, and the other major reason I didn't send them was because I didn't want to pay the $25 or so that CB charged for sending scores. </p>
<p>But for most people, I would suggest submitting them. It will (or should anyway) strengthen your application and improve your chances.</p>
<p>I did, even with good stats and being OOS, I'm sure they helped. Anything that gives a broader picture of you as an individual, and shines a better light on you is good.</p>
<p>To Plainsman:
ACT is not so much like the SAT II as you think. For one, the math is nowhere near as hard as the sat math II. Second, the science all graph analysis and such things that you don't need to know the science in order get the answer. That said, knowing the science will still help you. Also the science in the ACT covers all the science subjects while the SAT II goes in depth in which ever you choose. If I were the college I wouldn't accept the ACT in place of the SAT II.</p>