planner031334 replies24 discussionsRegistered UserPosts: 1,358Senior Member
edited December 2017
"I actually think the elite schools' admissions offices *do* know who's Pell Grant"
I read a SCEA recap article from Harvard admissions a couple of years ago and they commented on how thrilled they were with the increase in low income applicants. They mentioned they were basing the stat on the number that had requested fee waivers. (Just one of numerous factors that can imply income.)
OHMomof212464 replies231 discussionsRegistered UserPosts: 12,695Senior Member
I think many elites are trying to attract more low income students and so they probably do know of that student's low income status. When they say they are "need blind" I think that often means they don't hold it against the applicant and in some cases it is a plus.
sbjdorlo4880 replies386 discussionsRegistered UserPosts: 5,266Senior Member
Yes, @OHMomof2, that's exactly what I meant, and that's what schools mean when they are need-blind: they don't hold it against a kid if he/she is low income, and as you say, top schools are actually looking for diversity-- income, geographical region, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and what have you.
Need-aware schools such as WUSTL *do* consider whether or not a student can afford to attend, and, as far as I know, will often choose full pay deferred applicants over lower income "needy" applicants.
Sorry to have derailed the thread! Back to SAT IIs...
jheidenreich20 replies7 discussionsRegistered UserPosts: 27Junior Member
If one lives in a state that requires the ACT to be taken (WI for example) should a student take the SAT and subject tests or is just taking the subject tests without the SAT fine?
Otherwise it seems to be a lot of additional testing that isn’t necessary (taking both the ACT and SAT)
Parche121 replies1 discussionsRegistered UserPosts: 122Junior Member
Like many schools, WUSTL is aggressively pursuing qualified Pell eligible students and is making a targeted effort to grow its financial aid assistance endowment. I would encourage you to look at it.
19parent227 replies8 discussionsRegistered UserPosts: 235Junior Member
I would love to hear more opinions on the number of scores. My D19 scores were Math II - 800, Chem - 780, and American History - 700. If she is a stem kid is it better to send in just two? I know there are a few schools that want three, but it seems like most either say 2 or don't state the number.
sbjdorlo4880 replies386 discussionsRegistered UserPosts: 5,266Senior Member
Send in all three. Those are great scores, and being that she's STEM, that history score is a validation that she can be successful in humanities, as well. For students that I work with who are shooting for highly selective schools, I always use MIT's advice, and say that anything with a 7 at the beginning is good enough, and in your D's case, her Math II is perfect, so don't be afraid to send the history.
My own two older sons each submitted 3 scores, and literature for both of them was the relatively weaker scores at 730 and 710; nonetheless, I think those scores were fine, and they both were admitted to highly selective schools (MIT, Penn, Princeton, etc.).
alliblues97 replies3 discussionsRegistered UserPosts: 100Junior Member
If a school doesn't require the tests, but recommends them, could you potentially send in the scores after submitting the application? My daughter is registered to take Math 2 and Chemistry in August, but I usually like her to have two chances at this kind of test. But I'm not sure she'd have enough time to take it once, see the results, register for a second, if necessary, and get those results before Early Action deadlines. Totally my bad because I wasn't paying attention to the necessity of these tests.
MA20121231 replies1 discussionsRegistered UserPosts: 1,232Senior Member
edited August 2018
@sbjdorlo The advice I heard from MIT was 750 or higher for Math 2.
But to the other points raised in this thread - the first thing to do is read the requirements for each school. Which may have changed since last year.
PeterApostolakis19 replies14 discussionsRegistered UserPosts: 33Junior Member
what about international applicants that will may have to sit for their national exams not having time to prepare for a descent SAT II score? I have personally contacted all my reach schools (Princeton, Harvard, Yale, Georgetown) and the admissions officers said that it is ok if i apply with one Subject test considering the fact that in my country National Exam prep starts 2 years before the exams.
skieurope37891 replies6559 discussionsSuper ModeratorPosts: 44,450Super Moderator
what about international applicants that will may have to sit for their national exams not having time to prepare for a descent SAT II score?
I go back to my earlier statement that I'm at a loss as to why anyone applying to a college with single digit admissions rates would submit an application that was not as strong as possible, and that includes Subject Tests. Keep in mind that international acceptance rates is about half of the overall rate at some of these schools. Additionally, if taking the corresponding class the same year, the amount of prep for a Subject Test should be minimal for a student keeping up with the work, particularly if the class has a final exam. And it's not like US students don't have competing priorities as well.
I have personally contacted all my reach schools (Princeton, Harvard, Yale, Georgetown) and the admissions officers said that it is ok if i apply with one Subject test
They are spouting the official line, which is that Subject Tests are not required. Feel free to believe that statement.
PeterApostolakis19 replies14 discussionsRegistered UserPosts: 33Junior Member
for an international student from a non-English speaking country, even preparing for a biology SAT II needs a lot of time, learning the terminology and this stuff. I believe that it is better to prep for an above average SAT General score and one Subject test than study for three tests receiving an average score.
Replies to: SAT subject tests are NOT truly optional for middle/upper middle class applicants at elite colleges!
I read a SCEA recap article from Harvard admissions a couple of years ago and they commented on how thrilled they were with the increase in low income applicants. They mentioned they were basing the stat on the number that had requested fee waivers. (Just one of numerous factors that can imply income.)
Need-aware schools such as WUSTL *do* consider whether or not a student can afford to attend, and, as far as I know, will often choose full pay deferred applicants over lower income "needy" applicants.
Sorry to have derailed the thread! Back to SAT IIs...
Otherwise it seems to be a lot of additional testing that isn’t necessary (taking both the ACT and SAT)
My own two older sons each submitted 3 scores, and literature for both of them was the relatively weaker scores at 730 and 710; nonetheless, I think those scores were fine, and they both were admitted to highly selective schools (MIT, Penn, Princeton, etc.).
But to the other points raised in this thread - the first thing to do is read the requirements for each school. Which may have changed since last year.