Dungareedoll

I hate when schools state that candidates don't have to have SAT II's but they recommend them. Thats the statement that Stanford makes. So I wanted to know what others would do.

If you didn't take the SAT II's this past spring, don't like the SAT testing as a whole (you're more in line with the ACT) what would you do? On top of that you have a heavy coarseload for senior year (6 AP's) and are studying to retake the ACT, not to mention all the college app stuff etc etc etc.

Help! Let me know what you think

Thanks

ryry123

If Stanford recommends that you take them, I would recommend that you take them as well. I definitely understand being really busy, though.

I took the SAT IIs right before AP tests in subjects that I was very familiar with (for me, it was math and chemistry) and it ended up being a very successful "strategy." In part, this was because I didn't have much homework or ECs around that time, so I was able to devote enough time to studying. Therefore, my advice would be to take the SAT IIs in the subjects you know best at the time that is generally least busy for you. To determine which subjects were best for me, I went to the SAT Subject Practice Section and took the online practice tests for all the subjects to see where I was most successful.

As for being in line more with the ACT, I would say that the subject tests are definitely different from the SAT I in that they test your knowledge of the subject as opposed to posing tricky questions to trip you up.

Hope this helped.

Dungareedoll

Thanks!!!! I called today and spoke with an admissions officer. She stated that if they aren't taken then they won't be held against you. She also mentioned that if someone takes them and doesn't do well then they shouldn't be submitted, so I think Stanford looks at them as a bonus. If you take them and do well, then submit them because it can only help at that point.

fleurdelis27

I agree that they are "recommended" for a reason and that you should probably strongly consider taking them. One good thing is at least the ACT is in Sept. and the SAT Subject Tests can be taken in Oct. My strategy for taking subject test was I took them at the end of the year w/ the corresponding AP test. For example sophomore year I took AP World History so I took the World History Subject test that June. Junior year I took AP US Hist. & AP Eng. Lang. so I took the U.S. History subject test. I considered Literature but that subject seemed to correspond more w/ AP Eng. Lit which I didn't take until senior year, so I took Math Level 1 instead. I would have taken Math Level 2, but I felt it required a lot more studying for me and when I made the decision I knew I didn't have the time to study. I found Level 1 to be pretty much the same difficulty as the Math section on the SAT. Since you should be aiming for 700+ take the tests you know you can do well in.

MidwestPop

My D was accepted to Stanford (just finished her Freshman year) and did not take or submit any subject tests. By the time she took both the ACT and the SAT a couple of times, along with all of the other school commitments, she just ran out of time and energy to get them taken. So, while it's great to get them taken if you think you will do well, it is certainly not a requirement. D was accepted to both Stanford and Yale without any subject tests.

astults13

So would a 720 in BioM look poor, especially if I intend to major in molecular bio? I'm not saying I think a 720 sucks or anything to seem pretentious, but it's probably not on par with other Stanford applicants. It seems like it might be best to not submit SAT II scores to Stanford and other schools that don't require them.

Dungareedoll

Thanks Pop thats exactly the situation I'm dealing with. No more energy to get through these tests.

Astults13- I think the 720 is fine. You should be in good shape with that score.

BuckyOrBust

How was your daughter accepted to Yale without SAT II? I thought they required them....

Afropuffin

If it makes you feel any better, I'll be starting at Stanford this fall and I didnt take any subject tests OR the ACT (Though I would NOT recommend skipping the ACT... Even if it's not a huge deal to Stanford other elite schools like to see it if you don't have subject tests). And dont stress yourself out about scores... Aim high, but remember that your SAT'S and ACT's arent the most important part of your app.

MidwestPop

Yale, nor Stanford, require SAT II's if you submit the ACT score. (At least they didn't a couple of years ago.)

Purpender

I submitted mine. Do it if you get 650+, it won't hurt.