Are these test scores good enough for top 50 schools?

Applying to College
1

Hello, I would really like to know if these scores are a good combo.

ACT: 35C (35W, 35M, 35R, 33S), 10/12 on essay
Subject tests: Math 2 710, World History 730
also recently got 690 on Biology M but I don’t think I will be sending that

I’m aiming for selective schools like BU, UW Madison, Georgia Tech, NYU, and Cornell for example

ALSO, for the schools that don’t require subject tests, should I even send them? Mine are pretty good but they aren’t stellar.

2

Yes, those scores are certainly good enough, keeping in mind that for schools like GT and Cornell many students with scores/grades/other that are good enough won’t be offered admission. More students with your type stats apply to the most competitive schools, so some (sometimes many) will be be denied admission. There are a lot of terrific schools, though, in the “Top 50” that are not nearly as competitive as a Harvard or Stanford. And a lot of terrific schools outside the Top 50 too.

I’d look at what the school says about the importance of subject tests to decide if it would be best to send them. If you google “school name” common data set, you’ll get an annual report that provides a ton of info, including how much importance a school places on different things in admission. This is in Section C7. Here’s the William and Mary Section C as an example. Definitely feel free not to send them if a school does not place much weight on them. Good luck!

https://www.wm.edu/offices/ir/documents/cds/cds1718_part_c.pdf

3

And Section C8 for info on subject tests

4

I was told that ACT alone equal to SAT+subject tests, your ACT is very good so you don’t need to send in Any subject tests. Hope more experienced CCers could chime in too.

5

As makemesmart said, I’d just send the ACT, your Math 2 percentile is around 50% and WH is 75% and BIo is 60% so don’t send any of those to the schools you’re considering, stick with the ACT. You have to assume that at least for a school like Cornell, the applicants for STEM will have 750-800 on all subject tests.

6

Yes, those scores are good enough. My middle son got into Penn with a 2230 SAT (old one) and 710 Lit, 730 Math II subject tests.

7

The ACT by itself is good enough but for the most selective schools, standardized test scores are only a small part of the equation and many other factors matter as well.

8

@makemesmart - Some schools require Subject Tests in addition to the ACT. Cornell is one of those schools.

9

Thanks @momofsenior1
I think for Duke and Stanford at least, ACT alone will suffice for standardized testing requirements.