Including SAT IIs?

Applying to College
1

<p>I am having trouble understanding what is considered a “good” SAT II score. My ACT is strong, and most schools I am applying to do not require SAT IIs, but I have already taken them and wonder if I should still include them. I scored a 740 on US history and a 720 on molecular biology. I realize that these are not in the top 90th percentile, but is that just because those who take the SAT IIs tend to be stronger students, so a high score might still place you in a lower percentile? Or is it genuinely a weaker score (if you are applying to top universities)? More specifically, I am applying to Brown, and wonder if I should include these scores.</p>

<p>Any insight you have would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!</p>

2

<p>Brown is an Ivy, so it’s definitely competitive, but overall your 740 and 720 will neither hurt nor help you in the admissions process. Actually, the 720 might…a little bit…but it won’t be the deciding factor</p>

3

<p>The general rule of thumb for selective colleges is that 700+ is good and 750+ is great.</p>

<p>Congrats, if you can afford a few extra bucks your SAT IIs will help support your ACT and grades.</p>

<p>I personally don’t worry about percentiles, others do.</p>

4

<p>Since the only school you mentioned is Brown, I would not send it.</p>

5

<p>^reason??</p>

<p>10 char</p>

6

<p>I wouldn’t send them, due to the fact that Brown is one of the most difficult schools to gain entry into. Scores of 720 and 740 will definitely not help and could only harm.</p>

7

<p>We’ll have to respectfully disagree on this one.</p>

8

<p>No harm in sending to Brown but likely won’t do much because you need to understand Brown’s rules for admission: to determine admission it uses SAT and two SAT IIs OR, alternatively, ACT. If you are relying on ACT then SAT IIs are not really factored in but no harm in submitting in the hope they might be noticed. And your scores are fine for submission to Brown.</p>

<p>You do not mention other schools to which you are applying but say most do not require SAT IIs. Just be aware that most that do not require or expressly recommend SAT IIs (which is actually the large majority of all colleges) will not even consider them for admisson so it is pointless to send them to the college (in fact, at many, reviewers who make decisons get a file that excludes any mention of SAT IIs even if you sent them). However, there are a number who will consider IIs even if not required or recommended so you need to check with the college’s involved.</p>

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<p>Thanks, all. I realize Brown will probably not look at my SAT IIs if I submit the ACT, but I just want to be sure I’m not sending anything that could hurt me on the off chance someone glances at them.</p>

<p>I only mentioned Brown because it is the most selective school to which I’m applying.</p>

<p>So, the overall consensus is that these scores will probably be a mute factor?</p>

10

<p>Send your scores, definitely. US History + Biology are two tough tests and your scores are very impressive. I would MAYBE not send a 720 in ONLY Math Level 1 and/or native language.</p>

11

<p>I say submit them. Just because they are not required does not mean that they do not add to your application. Applicants are not required to take AP classes and therefore the tests but no one suggests that you should not report those scores. My daughter reported her SAT, two ACTs and 4 SAT II on her apps last year. It did not hurt her. I don’t believe that a 720 and 740 would hurt your applications.</p>

<p>BTW, for comparison, what is your ACT? Knowing that might alter the advice that I and others give you.</p>

12

<p>^ My ACT is a 33, and I scored all 5s on the APs I took last year (AP Lang, AP Bio, and APUSH).</p>