Which and how many SATs, ...really?

<p>I'm really confused about the SAT I & II requirements for standard Liberal Arts Colleges in the US. Some sites say I need to have 1 SAT I grade and 2 SAT II subject test grades, and some say 3? And some say one from the humanities, one from the science and one of my choice? I don't know how accurate this is. What is the standard requirement? I've been to a few college sites and none of them are specific, so I'm really not sure! </p>

<p>I'm looking to apply to colleges like BU, NYU, Barnard, Northwestern</p>

<p>Pleeeeease help! thank you! :)</p>

<p>Most colleges want only SAT or ACT. High ranked colleges tend to also want two SAT IIs with exceptions. There are only two colleges that recommend and thus want three SAT IIs, Georgetown and Johns Hopkins (NYU discussed below is special situation). In any event you must check each school’s requirements because uniformity of anything among colleges is the exception and not the rule. </p>

<p>Of the ones you mention: BU and Barnard require either ACT or, alternatively, SAT plus two SAT IIs (any two in different subjects), in other words if you submit ACT, you do not have to submit any SAT IIs but you must do so if you submit SAT. Northwestern requires either SAT or ACT and does not require any SAT IIs unless you are applying to certain special programs. It does however recommend two SAT IIs. NYU is rather unigue, you have four different options and need meet only one of them. You can submit SAT only, or ACT only, or three SAT IIs only (one in math or science and one in humanities), or three AP tests only. Thus, if you have good SAT you don’t have to submit any SAT IIs.</p>

<p>Wow, thanks so much!
NYU is a tad bit confusing though… Could I submit one SAT I and 2 SAT IIs? Is that allowed? Because I’ve been under the impression that NYU requires SAT I and 3 SAT IIs? Maybe I just misunderstood then!</p>

<p>You can submit anything you want in test scores; whether they will use them for anything is another question. Under current system SAT IIs have become an evaluation for admission that is separate from the SAT and you need three SAT IIs to have them considered. Thus sending SAT and two SAT IIs will result in the SAT being considered but not the SAT IIs, but no harm in sending them just in case some reviewer might see them and think about them.</p>

<p>NYU did not previously require and does not now require SAT and three SAT IIs. Prior to current system it required SAT (or ACT) plus two SAT IIs. Current system has the four separate options.</p>

<p>Well I didn’t apply to NYU (or any of those schools actually), but 3 SAT IIs is pretty excessive sounding. If you’re confused you should email your admissions officer. Not only will you get a legitimate answer, but you will also demonstrate interest in the school which usually helps to improve your chances.</p>

<p>As for what to take, science is almost never required and it seems like it shouldn’t be for a liberal arts college anyway. I didn’t take a science, just took literature and math 2 and got accepted early into Stanford. I would take a math (probably math 2 because you’re allowed to miss a lot more than math 1) and then another in one of your strong subjects.</p>

<p>I have a question though, in reference to what drusba said -

  1. If I’m applying to NYU CAS (and not doing the IB in high school), I can send in only SAT I score and that would be accepted?
  2. If I do one SAT I and 1 SAT II subject test… would that be weird or should I send it in?</p>

<p>Laeven, thank you! I’m better in Biology than in Math, so if I take the subject test it would be Biology (M) and English Lit. Congrats on Stanford :D</p>

<p>What are the other requirements to get into an ivy league other than SAT,ACT,SAT IIs, APs etc. What about your gpa and extra curricular activities ? Do these count especially if you are on the varsity teams like track, debate etc.
Have entered into semifinalist round of Intel or Siemens competition.
I need help in understanding what to focus on as a sophomore in Bronx Science, NY.
The more I talk to people I get confused. These high performing schools like STuy and Brox Science drive up competition like nobody’s business and then you are all lost if your path is not well chalked out.</p>

<p>Appreciate your help and congrats on your Stanford admission.</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

<p>I didn’t apply to any ivy league schools because I got into Stanford (my top choice) before the apps were due, but i’ll give you my two cents anyway…</p>

<p>SAT and two SAT IIs or ACT with writing were the only testing requirements I knew about. I only sent one AP test score in, and even that wasn’t required. GPA wise 3.7+ is decent chances I think. I got in with a 3.9, but I had a friend accepted to Stanford last year with a 3.7. My school had two 2400 and 4.0 kids apply and get rejected from Stanford last year. Brown, however, has only accepted kids from my school with 4.0s. So the gpa varies from school to school. </p>

<p>Here’s the overlooked part: ECs. Way more important than they get credit for. Again, just from my experience, but these are what got me in. My admission letter had a personalized note which said that admissions was taken by my ECs (varsity chess and music mentioned specifically). I think its not what the EC is that’s important, but rather what you do with them. Do you just participate, or do you accel? Just being a member in something’s not nearly as impressive as running it or competing or whatever. </p>

<p>Just my thoughts though. Hope it helped at least a little.</p>