<p>I'm a junior and I'm planning to apply at very competitive schools. (i.e., Harvard and MIT).</p>
<p>I know I'll need to take at least 3 SATIIs (Havard requires it). I know Math IIC is pretty much required at any good school so I'm done with that. MIT also requires a science one so I'll be most likely taking Biology M. Now, I'm not sure what my third SATII should be. I've heard colleges want a diverse selection of SATIIs. Should I go US History? Literature? Languges? Any others? Any ideas?</p>
<p>Lastly, do you recommend taking more than 3 SATIIs? If you get an excellent score will it be beneficial at admissions?</p>
<p>" I've heard colleges want a diverse selection of SATIIs"</p>
<p>Only to the extent that they want them in different subjects but unless the school specifies otherwise, you can choose which subjects -- for some a math and/or a science may be required for the science and engineering majors but not others. Math IIC is good to have because a few prefer it and you will meet requirements if the school requires a math for science or engineering and you are applying for such, but it is untrue that "it is pretty much required at any good school"; most that require IIs do not require Math IIC and don't care whether it is one submitted, Harvard included which requires three in any subjects -- your choice. MIT requires a Math but it can be I or II and a science. There are only three colleges that require three IIs -- Princeton, Georgetown and Harvard -- and none of those requires a Math. All others that require IIs require only 2 and thus don't give a whit what your third one is. So you are choosing a third only for three colleges and you can choose anything you want.</p>
<p>Just to tell you, biology is seen as the "weakest" science SAT II as the level of difficulty isn't as hard as chemistry or physics, so if you'd like to get into MIT with a science degree, it might be best to try out one of the other sciences (unless you really like biology). </p>
<p>Just take 3 SAT II's, unless your scores are terrible on one or more of those three. Colleges only look at your top three, it is typically a waste of time to do anymore than that. If your scores are high, most colleges will prefer you over someone with a similar profile but didn't submit any SAT II scores or had lower SAT II scores than you. If you get 3 800s or 3 780s or the like, it certainly would be impressive (except most colleges don't give it as much weight as they do when compared to the SAT/ACT).</p>
<p>Normally you'd take US history or a language for your 3rd choice, it doesn't matter which, just choose the one you think you'd do best in. Literature is kind-of pointless to me, because both the SAT I/ACT cover some sort of literature already (but if you're good at it, choose it anyway).</p>
<p>I rolled with Math II (duh, almost EVERYONE should do math, preferably math II), Chem (only because I want to go into the sciences - other people should do a related subject to their major), and World History (because I enjoy History, took the AP, and wanted to be a little diverse). A language would be a good choice, I just happen to not enjoy French (my language), and they do not offer a Hindi :(</p>
<p>I would have taken Physics, but I took the C exam not the B exam for the AP, and the subject matter is different. A heads up - IF YOU WANT TO TAKE SAT II Physics, take the AP Physics B course, not AP Physics C</p>
<p>I made up my mind. I'll take Math II, Biology, and American History.</p>
<p>This really fits into my schedule because I'll be doing IB Biology HL and IB Am. History HL. Though I'm not sure if those classes matches up with the SATIIs.</p>
<p>@ fa-la-la-lena</p>
<p>I surely didn't know that Biology is considered "easy." But I have no choice because my school doesn't offer physics and I suck at chemistry. Oh well..</p>