Will having a mediocre THIRD SATII score hurt?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Columbia University
1

<p>ok, so i have two SATII scores that are good- 800 Math IIc and 780 Chemistry</p>

<p>but my third SATII score is 700 US History. My strengths are in math and science, and i don't show any affinity/strength for history.</p>

<p>so would this third SATII score in US History still hurt me? especially at a place like Columbia where they only require two SATII's? would they be completely objective about it and ignore the extra SATII or would it still have some sort of hidden affect?</p>

<p>and wat about at a more selective institution where they require 3? would having a very average score in a random subject carry much weight?</p>

2

<ol>
<li><p>United States is not a "random" subject so stop being so Asian.</p></li>
<li><p>Columbia only cares about the top two, as demonstrated by the application, so stop being a retard.</p></li>
<li><p>Your scores are fine so stop being a perfectionist.</p></li>
<li><p>I wish you happy new year and hope that 2007 brings with it a much-needed reality check for you!</p></li>
</ol>

3

<p>evil asian dictator nailed it.</p>

4

<p>I got into Columbia any my SAT IIs were lower than you, so...stop tripping.</p>

5

<p>Back when CU required three, my son got in with 640s as his third and fourth. Don't sweat it.</p>

6

<p>but the application pool is so much larger nowadays than even a couple of years ago!!! you need PERFECT scores to be able to get in, no if's and's or buts about it.</p>

<p>hope i'm not needlesly worrying any perfectionists :D</p>

7

<p>dude, harvardman only 2 are required!!</p>

8

<p>
[quote]
"1. United States is not a "random" subject so stop being so Asian."

[/quote]
</p>

<p>first of all evilasian, how does being asian have anything to do with me calling US History "random?"</p>

<p>by "random," i meant not going along with the "theme" of my application. if i am mainly a science/math person and don't show any particular strength in history, it may seem a bit weird that i decided to take a history SATII. i thought you would understand what i meant, but i guess u are a bit too dense evilasian...</p>

<p>
[quote]
"2. Columbia only cares about the top two, as demonstrated by the application, so stop being a retard."

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Adcom officers are all human and naturally can't help being subjective.
if they see an applicant with 800math2c, 800chem, and another 800bio in a subject test, they will prefer him over, say, an applicant with 800math2c, 800chem, 500bio. i am not saying that my score is that bad, but the admissions process is holistic and every number they see will play into it.</p>

9

<p>I higly disagree with Skraylor's assessment. I had like low 700s on my two highest, which happened to be the two math ones, and 600s for my other two, and I got in. Mine weren't "perfect," not at all; Columbia looks at more than just numbers. Numbers may matter, but not to the huge extent you think it does. Don't get all perfectionist-y and paranoid, gosh.</p>

10

<p>I agree. Admissions numbers haven't changed that much since my son applied thrree years ago. And the OP's first two SAT 2s are much higher than any of my son's, while his non-necessary third SAT 2 is still higher than two of my son's. Also, my son had a 2 (yes, a 2) on an AP. I don't think those numbers are really as important to CU as people here think. For instance, they don't even ask for AP scores; this is not an oversight on their part. It really is all about the big picture with them.</p>

11

<p>lol skray i think u gotta add a "btw, im being sarcastic" at the end of ur posts. sarcasm has a hard time traveling through the internet</p>

12

<p>i usually undestand ":D" to mean i'm being a jackass....but i guess you're right.</p>

<p>btw all, i was being sarcastic.</p>

13

<p>I know what you mean! I totally bombed the Spanish SAT II, and I'm hoping, hoping that they're going to pretend that it doesn't exist when they look at my score report.</p>

14

<p>If it's any help I'm applying with 780 lit, 720 bio and 600 math II, O.o I kinda took math II on a whim on the day...not realising it's thaatt hard. I really should have done Math I...
Oh and my SAT I's also have a drop 800V 740M and 650W, so if it affects you, at least you'll know I'm out of the competition =P I don't get the new writing section ...</p>

15

<p>Applying w/ 740 math II, 690 lit, and 610 physics...</p>

<p>but my SAT was better (760 M 740 CR 690 W)</p>

<p>fortunately i have safeties and matches, just in case :)</p>

<p>actually, I'm applying to 13 colleges.</p>

<p>kinda scary if you think about it.</p>

<p>and I really need to get off of CC and finish some essays.</p>

16

<p>to make you all feel better</p>

<p>I decided to take some SAT IIs "just for fun" Sophomore year of high school, before I realized that you couldn't choose to hide your SAT II scores anymore..and I got a 540 and a 610 on two random tests that I don't even remember. Numbers don't matter that much, don't sweat. Oh, I'm not a URM, and I come from California, a highly represented state at Columbia, so no special treatment here. (I did better on the two that counted though :))</p>

17

<p>if it makes you feel better, in addition:
i am applying with 800 literature, 780 mathII, and...</p>

<p>550 physics.</p>

18

<p>That's why I always tell people to be careful when they decide to take the SAT or an SATII for the heck of it. Those numbers don't go away and the "oh, let's see what I can do on this bad boy!" approach without ANY sort of preparation is generally a bad idea.</p>

<p>I was going to retake the SAT but there was no way I was going to do it without preparing.</p>

19

<p>quick question. cant you come up with a completely new collegeboard account and send scores in using THAT account the next time you take that SAT.</p>

20

<p>
[quote]
quick question. cant you come up with a completely new collegeboard account and send scores in using THAT account the next time you take that SAT.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Yeah, getting a new name, identity and social security number is as easy as 1-2-3!</p>