Great that you are asking questions now so I will try to address them.
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I would take one SAT and ACT to see if you do better on one over the other. Then you can concentrate on one test for the best score. There is nothing wrong in taking them several times. Some schools will Superscore which means they take the best sections from each test sitting (CSU’s superscore). Some schools will take the Highest score from a single sitting (UC’s and many private universities). Some schools require all scores and some do not. You need to look up each school’s policy that you are interested in applying.
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You can send in both SAT and ACT scores, but I would choose one test and stick with it.
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Sending in both ACT and SAT scores will not increase your admission chances. A high score on either test will increase your chances.
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SAT subject tests are tests in specific academic concentrations. Depending upon your major, some of the UC’s have recommendations of which tests to take. SAT subject tests are taken in addition to the SAT test so you cannot replace a Subject test for the regular SAT. You can however take the ACT and 2 subject tests instead of the SAT for some colleges and there are also many colleges that are test optional and do not require either test.
https://www.fairtest.org/university/optional
SAT subject tests can also be used to fulfill an a-g course that is not available at your school or you are unable to fit into your schedule.
http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/counselors/freshman/minimum-requirements/subject-requirement/index.html
Here is a list for the UC”s:
http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/freshman/requirements/examination-requirement/SAT-subject-tests/index.html
To be a competitive UC applicant, I would recommend to take the Subject tests if listed.
For the Cal states, SAT subject tests are not considered. For private colleges, each will state their requirements on their websites.
- You can apply to as many colleges as you like. Each CSU costs $55 to apply and Each UC costs $70 to apply. Private Universities have varying amounts for their application fees. Some schools if you are interested may waive the application fee and if you are low income, you can get Fee Waivers for the CSU’s and UC’s.
I would recommend no more than 10 schools in which you should apply, but it really depends upon how much work you are willing to put into your applications. Many private universities require supplemental essays which can add to your application workload. You need to identify at least 2 safety schools (basically guaranteed admission), 3-4 Target/Match schools where your stats are above the 50th percentile and 2-3 Reach schools.
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For the UC’s and CSU’s, there is the minimum 15 a-g courses that are required for admission eligibility. The majority of applicants take above and beyond the minimum, so taking any extra a-g courses will make you more competitive. If you are focusing on a STEM major, then extra Math and Science will help. Depending upon which schools you are targeting, it will be at the Norm for the extra classes and not a “standout”.
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When you apply, on the application you will list all classes taken with your grades along with any Senior classes “in-progress” so colleges will see your Senior schedule.
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Unless the college specifically states how to calculate your weighted GPA (CSU’s/UC’s), the UW GPA is important to gauge how you compare to other applicants since there is no uniform weighting system used by all High Schools.
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The Cal States and UC’s use a capped weighted GPA based on 10-11th grades. If you are a California HS student, then you can look up your HS’s approved Honors classes which will get the extra weighting in the GPA calculation here:
https://hs-articulation.ucop.edu/agcourselist
For every semester of UC approved Honors, AP, IB or Dual Enrollment courses, you get an extra honors point. The capped weighted is 8 semesters maximum while the UC’s will also consider the fully weighted where you get an unlimited # of honors points for classes taken 10-11th.
Here is the Rogerhub calculator and it will give you the UW UC GPA, Capped Weighted UC/CSU GPA and Fully weighted UC GPA. CSU’s only consider the Capped weighted GPA.
https://rogerhub.com/gpa-calculator-uc/
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You cannot major in AP Biology. I am assuming you mean Biology? You can major in any subject for PA school but you need to take required courses to apply to PA school and majoring in a science related major makes it easier. You should always select a major with a backup plan just in case you do not get into PA school.
There is no “Ideal” major. The ideal major is a major that will have interest in pursuing, where you can complete your PA school course requirements and where you can get a High GPA.
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Going into the Healthcare field, I would take AP Biology and if you are able to fit Anatomy/Physiology into your schedule then it could also help. One does not stand out from the other except that AP Biology could help with your HS course rigor and it could get you college credit if you pass the exam which could allow you to Opt out of one of your biology course requirements. It really depends if the AP credit can be used at your college since each college has different AP policies.
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You do not need a minor unless you have some specific interest in another subject. I was a Microbiology major and since I had to take many Chemistry courses for my major, I really only needed one more course to complete a Minor in Chemistry, so I took the class.
If you are aiming for PA school, you will be quite busy with a tough schedule, so if you want to pursue a minor, it should be something that will not require too many extra classes.
CLEP tests and SBAC questions on next post.