Do colleges factor in SAT IIs into admission?...

mowmow721 · 11-02-2009, 10:53 PM

Even if they say they are not required?...

Most of my colleges are non-SAT II required. Which kind of makes me sad, because my scores are 800 Bio M, 800 Chem, 800 Math II, and 790 Lit... and I kind of want to major in biochem.

Was wondering if they consider them at all, or would just be like w/e and treat them like another AP score.

monstor344 · 11-03-2009, 12:08 AM

^ If they are optional, then yes.

I recall reading your chance thread a while back. Out of curiosity, why are you not applying to more selective universities? Obviously fit is important, but I would not doubt your capability to get into a few top schools, especially with those SAT IIs.

mowmow721 · 11-03-2009, 06:44 PM

Scholarship money, dude. It seems to be nonexistent these days, and I need it badly.

menloparkmom · 11-03-2009, 06:59 PM

where are you applying? Are you a NMSF?

monstor344 · 11-03-2009, 07:01 PM

A few top schools are need-blind. They could give you FA; even if the offers are not high enough for you to accept and you do decide to go with a more substantial scholarship offer, you haven't really lost anything by applying, and if the FA offers are high enough then you could be opening yourself to a world of different opportunities.

qungun · 11-03-2009, 07:37 PM

SAT IIs can't hurt

mowmow721 · 11-03-2009, 10:33 PM

Right... so my EFC was calculated to be $30,000. I could maybe squeeze $5-10,000 out of my parents TOPS.... And I'm pretty sure schools like Ivies only give need-aid, although the super-ivies (HY) give out a whole lot of it.

But we all know how admissions to those places go...

I was applying to some good LACs like Washington & Lee, Furman, U. Richmond, Davidson, and some universities like U. Florida and Vanderbilt. None of them look at SAT IIs. Yea I'm a NMSF.

menloparkmom · 11-03-2009, 11:46 PM

"Yea I'm a NMSF. "
Allright! Since you are looking for merit $$ and with your stats, you should apply to USC [University of Southern Calif #26 in USNWR], where you will receive an automatic 1/2 Merit Tuition scholarship for being a NMSF at the minimum if you are accepted[ which with your stats I'll bet you will be]. If you complete you application before Dec 1, you will also be eligible for consideration for the full Tuition Trustee scholarship [ my son is a Trustee scholar and his SAT subject test scores were a little lower than yours] USC is a far better U than Fla and is actively looking for great students like you. USC also has a a very generous FA program, and winning a 1/2 tuition scholarship will not prevent you from obtaining Fa. Be SURE you send your app in before the Dec 1 merit scholarship deadline.

foolishpleasure · 11-04-2009, 11:26 AM

"USC also has a a very generous FA program, and winning a 1/2 tuition scholarship will not prevent you from obtaining Fa.

^^ Are you sure? Colleges/unis usually do NOT award need-based aid above demonstrated need. A merit award CAN, however, be used to replace loans or work-study.

drusba · 11-04-2009, 01:00 PM

"I was applying to some good LACs like Washington & Lee, Furman, U. Richmond, Davidson, and some universities like U. Florida and Vanderbilt. None of them look at SAT IIs."

Only somewhat correct. Washington and Lee requires two SAT IIs for admission so obviously it will consider them. Vanderbilt and Davidson recommend two so they will also consider them. Furman requires you to submit either an SAT OR an ACT OR two SAT IIs (one math, one english which can be literature) and if you submit all or groups of those they will consider the group that is best; in other words your Math SAT II (800) and Lit SAT II (790) will actually be the main scores considered (unless you have a 2400 SAT) so you are stellar in scores there for admission. University of Richmond and Florida do not consider SAT IIs for admission even if you submit them.

R124687 · 11-04-2009, 01:44 PM

Don't you have any decent "in state" schools? I consider our in state university better than those that give 1/2 to full tuition scholarships to NMFs.

So, for my D (a NMSF, hoping for finalist, of course), she will possibly go completely free at our instate university. They offer automatic scholarships based on GPA and SAT, and then many additional selective scholarships, with preference given to NMF.

She doesn't WANT to stay in-state, but...if that's where the money is, and the school is decent...maybe go there for undergrad, work summers and save for graduate school. FYI, or local university does not "require" SAT IIs, but recommends them. I'm guessing, if you ADD those to your applications, YES..they will be considered. How can a human look at those scores and not form a positive opinion of your abilites, whether they're used in some mysterious mathematical equation or not? Whether or not they'll get you scholarships...I'm sure they'll help in decision making.

So, yes, I'm sure they'll help. You have plenty of choices with those scores and National Merit. And lots of them are FREE. Of course, they're not the top notch schools. But we each have to make our selection based on what we can afford. You want to get the most for the least..obviously.