Hello! My name is Peter a high school junior from Greece, and I am an international prospective student. You see, i chose to work as an intern in a Political NGO (fighting for political transparency) for one month, so the time i got to study for my SATs is limited. I am applying to some selective schools and i was wondering if the recommended but not required SAT II thing is true. I am sitting for the national exams too and the prep starts this September. Will the admissions office understand my situation? Thank you in advance!
Yes, but I would take 3 subjects tests and maybe submit the best 2. You don’t need to spend huge amounts of times specifically preparing for them.Because most countries systems are more specialized and exam oriented than the US, international students usually do well on subject tests.Since you are going to be compared with other international applicants, only submitting 1 test will not look good. They make a subjective evaluation and generally won’t disqualify you for one thing, but just taking 1 test will hurt you.
While subject test scores are not as important in the US as most places, most students without money or connections, etc, accepted at top schools domestic or international are going to be showing at least 2 close to perfect scores, and maybe 4 or 5. These schools are probably more selective than anywhere in Greece. They say they recommend 2 scores, but people often send the best 2 or 3 scores. If you can’t score really high on at least 2 of them, you may not have much chance. The material on them is not that advanced, and is designed that you did not have to follow any particular curriculum, So I would see which ones you can do best on and give it a try.
You could! SAT subject test is optional for some schools. But most people around me take 2-4.
Since you’ve got limited time, try to schedule the ACT:
- it’s scheduled on other dates than the SAT, leaning to can easily take the act and subject tests without juggling dates. Sat subject in August, act in September, one more try for subjects in October, both act and sat subjects in November if necessary.
- some colleges don’t require the SAT subjects if you took the ACT
- the test structure and straightforward English makes it a bit easier than the sat when English sent your native language.
As someone noted above, international students tend to do better on sat subjects (they’re just one hour multiple tests, you can take 3 in one sitting).
If you are an international applying and in need of aid competition is fierce. I would do everything in my power to meet all of the recommended testing guidelines for schools you plan to apply to as you will be competing for spots and funding with students who have fulfilled all of the recommendations.
I will disagree, if your SAT is solid (above 1500) they will start looking at your EC’s and if something stands out there the SAT 2’s won’t be a factor. Too much is made of scores especially the SAT 2’s they usually only show a strength in some subject but they matter the least, and if you don’t score high you wont send them anyway. Some anecdotal info. DD is at UChicago didn’t submit any SAT 2 scores, her friend at Harvard highest score was a 720. ACT 34 and SAT 1570 respectively. Neither had a hook. You will most likely stand out via your EC then an 800 on some SAT2.