Okay so I got a 490 on my Latin Subject test and I’m applying to Georgetown SFS. My other test scores are on fine (31 ACT, 700 Bio Sat 2, 600 Math 2) And I’m a URM (Black).
SFS states that they prefer subject tests in a modern foregin language or Latin, but I asked an admissions officer that they use them mostly for placement purposes. I’ve gotten A’s on all my Latin classes (currently in AP Latin) and have gotten golds on all my National Latin Exams (which I am listing on my application).
The thing is, I’m not even planning to study Latin at Georgetown, I’m planning to study Arabic, which I studied through a state dept scholarship called NSLI-Y. I achieved an intermediate- low level in the language which is backed by an official score report administered by the state dept. Is this enough to counteract my poor Latin score, or should I take again?
Unless you are planning to take another Subject Test, Latin is your 3rd Subject Test score. SFS asks for a background in a foreign language, but does not require a Subject Test.
Submit the Latin score for EA but take it again in case your app is considered in RD. With As in Latin class and taking AP you really should be able to bring it up on the second round. Retake the math as well. If Gtown doesn’t care about those scores you’ll get accepted but as is they aren’t competitive.
So how much would these score detract from my application in total? Does Georgetown like to see that you took the test, or do they weight the scores heavily?
If Georgetown “strongly recommends” 3 Subject Tests, I have to assume that they want to see more than that you simply took them - they’d want to see strong scores as well. How much weight they give them is anyone’s guess; only G’Town admissions knows that answer, and I doubt they would give you a straight answer.
Ask Georgetown if you could use your State Department language test in place of your third sat subject test in foreign language, especially since that language is material to what you’ll study at Georgetown and that it’s not offered as a subject test (for a strange reason considering it’s importance.) if so, don’t submit Latin, submit your state department test and it’s results
If you read through past Gtown threads on CC you’ll see acceptances in both EA and RD with less than 3 subject tests. So the answer to your questions in #4 is only the admissions officers know.
That wasn’t clear from your first post. For me that doesn’t change my advice to now sign up and prepare for retakes of both Latin and Math subject tests if you aren’t accepted EA- at which time you’ll learn the answer to the bigger question of their ultimate role in a decision.
I suppose if I don’t get accepted EA I’ll have my answer @Oregon2016. Yeah, I’m probably gonna retake, but maybe not take the Latin, I met and admissions officer once and she said I don’t really need to take a Latin subject test since it’s not a modern foreign language. I’ll maybe take the math and the literature.
Since you did poorly and sent the score, you need to show you CAN do better, that it’s not the definite representation of your knowledge. So, while potentially your Dept of State certification would matter more, in your specific situation, you kinda have to retake Latin. In addition you can take just Literature and one History.
This sounds like ds2’s issue. He needed a third ST for Gtown, took Latin at the last minute and did poorly … in the 450-550 range. I can’t remember the exact score, but he ended up in the 25th percentile. Ugh. He applied EA and had two strong ST scores, both above 700. And he had a great SAT score. He’d run out of time and couldn’t retake it for EA. He got in. And he’s a minority, too. Hispanic. I wish your Math II score was higher. How are your ECs/leadership? Are you from an underrepresented area?
You sound like a really strong candidate based on ECs. Personally, I wish all the test scores were higher, but you’re competitive. It sounds like you have lots of other options – put some safeties in there. Let us know you’re EA results. I’m curious to see how it goes. Good luck!
Take Latin again if you study enough to guarantee >600. Don’t submit the 480. I didn’t submit a low language score and here I am, a Georgetown student in their -REDACTED- year.
See, in my app I really try to emphasize that Arabic is my specialty, not Latin. All of my essays have something about Arabic/ the Middle East in them. And although I can’t submit additional documentation, I can tell them in the “additional information” section of my Arabic Proficeny, which I scored highly on.
Also it’s too late to sign up for Latin in time for EA the next test date is December 3rd, and Georgetown EA apps are due Nov 1st. Decisions come out mid December,