Would you take a third subject test?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Georgetown University
1

I will be applying to Georgetown EA this fall. I have so far taken two subject tests, scoring an 800 in USH (great!) and a 740 in Chem (kind of low). I scored a 2360 on the SAT I and want to major in government.

I am considering taking a third subject test (Lit), but would prefer avoiding anxiety and focusing on other aspects of my app, as long as I am not at any kind of disadvantage. The admissions website says: “If you are a senior and have not yet taken recommended SAT Subject Tests you may still apply Early Action and your application will receive full consideration. We do recommend that you register for these exams in the event that your application is deferred to Regular Decision.”
Also: “Given the Early Action deadline of November 1, the Committee on Admissions recognizes that applicants may not be able to meet the SAT Subject Test requirements. Those candidates are welcome to submit an Early Action application, and the application will be considered complete and reviewed in its entirety. Candidates applying under the Early Action plan who have not yet taken three Subject Tests should still register to take the tests in the event they are deferred from Early Action to Regular Decision.”
No other school I am applying to requests more than two subject tests.

Here are my options:

  1. Take Lit in October (after extensive studying and stressing senior grades) and submit it with my Georgetown EA app, and all others.
  2. Take Lit in December. I will take the test before, but get my score after, I recieve my EA decision from Georgetown. In the event I am deferred, I can submit this score with my RD app, and if it’s good, all my other apps. If I am accepted to Georgetown EA, I can even cancel this score if I think it’s bad, and not send it to any schools.
  3. The same as 2, except in January (so I’ll register after I recieve my EA notification - only if I am deferred). That’s the last date Georgetown accepts, so I don’t see any disadvantage to this date. I think I can still send this test to all other schools too, if I want.

What do you think? Which option would you take, or would you do something else? Am I at a disadvantage if I only submit two to the EA pool? All comments appreciated!

2

For what it’s worth, my kid took Zero subject tests…she was admitted into uchicago & Tufts (among many others) and is one of a handful of kids still on the “extended” waitlist for Georgetown (they’ll let her know by June 30) so i wouldn’t obsess too much about this. Go in with solid stats, solid grades…but then also have a compelling story…a reason why you need to be accepted over the thousands of other qualified applicants.

3

Sounds like you are not at a disadvantage for EA at Georgetown but you might be for RD if you don’t take a third. Is it possible that Georgetown views the 3rd test as indicative of how much you really want Georgetown? As far as I know, it’s the only school asking for 3. If you have time in the summer to ready yourself then taking it early gets it out of the way.If you don’t get into Georgetown, you’ll be spending a lot of time on other applications so why not just get it done in October?

4

Anyone else know how Georgetown views this when applying EA?

5

My son took all three subject tests and did really well on two – on the third (a class he hadn’t taken) his score was just okay. He was accepted EA. Georgetown recommends three, so he took three.