Are SAT IIs really "strongly recommended"?

endventure
Fri, 24 Oct 2008 16:05:04 +0000

Hi all–
First post… long time lurker.

I spoke with the admissions office today to clarify need to take SAT IIs if Stanford is the only school to which they would be sent. The officer was clear that the ACT was completely fine and lack of SAT IIs would NOT work against an application. The language on their website says “recommended” but the word “strongly” is nowhere to be found although I see from a CC search of past years that it was used in Stanford’s application literature.

The officer went on to say that SAT IIs would only be used to strengthen an application and poor or mediocre scores would not work against the applicant. I find this a bit hard to grasp but who knows…I imagine that all things being equal, those with strong SAT IIs would have an advantage.

I’ve read about a few experiences of people being accepted without these tests but would love to hear other examples. The November test is pending although it would mean missing a state XC meet and not really being timely enough for EA.

FWIW: ACT=33-writing 10; Never taken SAT I.

Thanks everyone!