How many subject tests can I send without seeming like a robot?

Colleges & Universities Stanford University
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<p>Hey guys! As you may have guessed, I want to apply to Stanford, but I am having some trouble sorting out what subject tests to send. Let me give you the low down on my situation:</p>

<p>Applying as undecided, but everything in my app trends towards humanities/social sciences, and that is probably where I will end up.</p>

<p>I took 6 SAT Subject tests with the following scores:</p>

<p>US History: 800
Literature: 780
Biology E: 740
World History: 740
Spanish (taken twice): 650, then 720</p>

<p>I’m planning on sending in US and Lit no matter what, I just am not sure whether to send in more, and if so, how many more and which ones.</p>

<p>I’m really proud of the Bio E score, because I have never taken an advanced biology course in my life (no AP bio, no honors bio), and I used a combination of self-studying and dumb luck/strategy to get my score. I also think it shows that I am not strictly humanities, that I am ok in other areas, even if I chose not to explore those in depth. BUT… I think my world history score is more in line with the humanities skew I am showing. Also self-studied this one (John Green’s crash course videos FTW), but I don’t consider it as big of an accomplishment. I’m leaning towards not sending Spanish, although I don’t have any problems with the score. I’m really just afraid of sending too many, and Stanford dismissing me as a test-taking robot. </p>

<p>Any opinions would be greatly appreciated. </p>

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<p>Send the first four. It shows that you are strong in several areas. And you should emphasize your interest in the humanities. Stanford has been quite open about wanting to keep those areas strong and not become Caltech North or MIT West. </p>

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<p>I’d limit it to 3. I would include your Spanish score, since it will fulfill your foreign language requirement if you get admitted.</p>

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<p>Not to hijack your thread, but I need some advice as well. </p>

<p>MODERATOR’S NOTE: Deleted balance of content. See note below.</p>

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<p>

And yet, that’s exactly what you did, which is uncool. Start your own thread with your question.</p>

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<p>@skieurope‌ - I don’t know the answer to this - I am just a parent - but couldn’t the Spanish score be sent in later if necessary? If the student got in? That way, s/he wouldn’t oversend for the application, but would still get the foreign language exemption if desired. If s/he wants to continue with language study, a placement test is required anyway, I believe. OP, will you be taking the AP Spanish exam? A good score on that can also fulfill a foreign langage requirement if not wanting to continue. </p>

<p>I definitely think the first three. Not sure about the others. What is the percentile for that 740 in World History? Not sure you need another history with the 800 on the US test. They only “recommend” two. My ds sent three because another school wanted three. He needed the third one to show balance as the other two were Math II and Chemistry. </p>

<p>How are your other scores? SAT or ACT? How many times did you take them? Unlike the Subject tests, you have to send in all scores for those. If you took either of them several times, then I might factor that into my decision as well. </p>

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<p>Just avoid these numbers and you’ll be fine: 0, 1, 10, 11, 100, 101, etc. ;-)</p>

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<p>

Good point. It might be a better strategy to send the 1st 3 for admissions consideration. That will show a strong diversity of subjects.</p>

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<p>@hoggirl I am currently enrolled in AP Spanish, hoping for a 4 or 5 on the test, but it’s really too early for me to have a good idea of what I might get. I like your idea about submitting subject tests for placement after I get in, that may make sense for Spanish. My other scores are:</p>

<p>SAT: 2080 - CR: 740 M:680 W: 660</p>

<p>SAT: 2270 - CR: 800 M:690 W:780</p>

<p>ACT: C:34 E:34 M:33 R:35 S:32 Essay: 10</p>

<p>The percentiles on the subject tests are 81 for World History and 84 for Bio E.</p>

<p>Do you guys think that my score on Bio E could partially “make up” for the fact that I didn’t take AP Bio? AP World isn’t offered at my school, and I’ve taken almost all of the other advanced social studies classes, so I’m not too concerned about making up for that. </p>

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<p>@butterfreesnd‌ - your SAT I and ACT scores are solid, and you have NOT been a serial test taker at all. </p>

<p>If you feel better sending four Subject Test scores instead of three, I think that would be fine. I wouldn’t send five. JMO.</p>

<p>If science is not your “thing,” I don’t think it’s a big deal that you skipped your school’s AP Bio course as long as your rigor is strong otherwise. So, I don’t think your lack of taking AP Bio necessarily needs to be “made up for.” However, scoring as well as you did on the Bio Subject Test certainly shows added dimension to your application. </p>

<p>I know it’s super stressful. Really focus on finding your voice in your essays. Let YOU come through on them!
Good luck!</p>