Need Advice: Recommended Subject Tests

fortmorgan
Wed, 23 Dec 2015 04:22:40 +0000

Hey guys! So, background. I’m a junior from southern Alabama, and I’m concerned about the SAT Subject Tests and how I should approach them in regards to my transcript.

I am applying to a good fistful of highly selective, northeastern schools, including some Ivy Leagues. Many of these have “recommended, not required” Subject Tests to be paired with my ACT, or iterations close to this theme. I am wondering how I should play these? My major concern is that with a 4.0 unweighted GPA, a 36 ACT, and multiple 5s on AP tests, my subject tests are gonna be a blotch on my record. (I took World History in December and got a 740, which I know isn’t the worst but also isn’t on par with the rest of my stuff. For my two to send in, taking U.S. History and either lit or math 2, but in all three of these tests I’ll have AP Scores in more rigorous classes after this year, including AP Calc.) Basically, I want to know how much I’m gonna need to hit the grind on these, breaking it down into a few types of schools:

a. Some schools, such as Brown and Columbia, only recommend the Subject Tests with the ACT. Do I need to send them in? Will it hurt me to just show what I have?
b. Some schools, such as Harvard, say that they’re required except in two cases: financial need and when you don’t want to be reviewed with them in mind. Is this a trap? Feels like a trap…
c. Some sub-schools, like Wharton undergrad at UPenn (my current first choice), recommend two subject tests and recommend one in particular (in this case, Math 2.) Do I have to take the Math 2? Or will a strong AP Calculus score do the trick? (I say this, again, because the Math 2 will take some serious studying and I don’t want to do it for nothing obviously when I could be spending that time actually working on my calculus and what not.)
d. Obviously, there are some schools, like Dartmouth, that actually require the tests. I’m just wondering how much D and friends will weigh these tests in context with APs and my ACT.

Also, a few more related questions:

Is there any other way to show strength in a subject beyond the test? For example, I’m a top competitor in National History Bowl Competitions.

Where do subject tests fit into the whole “wholistic applications” method? As high as the SAT I/ACT?

Thanks in advance for all of the help!