@payn4ward I asked my D why she is not taking physics II, since UPenn actually strongly recommended STEM students to take that. She said she would need Physics 2. And she is taking AP Physics C next year. So I guess we will forget about Physics Subject II test… Not many schools requires SAT II any more. So it is probably ok.
@STEM2017 @carachel2 thank you for the tips!!!
@whataboutcollege – Some of the STEM schools say physics or chem & some say a science that is closest to what you want to study; CMU says Physics for their engineering school. The problem is the new AP Physics courses don’t do not align with the SAT - over 50% of the topics are not covered in Physics 1. Just another frustration for the class of 2017. And I notice that SAT & subject tests will be given in August of 2017 - that won’t help my current junior but I have another DS right behind him. All this fun will be going on for a few more years - I really hope standardized testing is less important in the years to come.
QOTD - or is this a second one - any QOTD police out there? Any one doing the “Coalition App” - no idea if there are any advantages for class of 2017 and I have only heard so far the Univ. of Md. CP may be using it exclusively
We did look at core requirements before even applying because there are definitely a few deal breakers for each kid though my S16 became more flexible on core as he matured from when we started looking in 10th grade. PE doesn’t bother either of my kids as long as they can choose something they consider fun like yoga, jogging, golf, canoe, etc. If it was a hard core fitness class with a need to be proficient in a number of skills possibly a deal breaker. Both my kids want schools that have create your own majors or are very flexible about allowing double majors/minors, etc.
@CA1543 I was just at CMUs site and they say either Physics or Chemistry + Math 2 for engineering. But yes, very frustrating that the material on the subject tests doesn’t really align with CBs own stupid AP curriculum (it doesn’t for chemistry, either.) There was stuff on the Chemistry subject test that D didn’t have in either 10th grade regular chem or AP Chem this year.
The state schools we looked at, none requires SAT 2. The private we looked at, only Tufts require. Others mostly just recommend.
I also heard UPenn prefers Physics for engineering majors. My DS wants to try Physics (without prepping) but since he is going for pre-med I adviced him not to take it.
Coalition App: Only a couple of the schools on our daughter’s shortlist take it, and those that do also take the Common App—so the Common App it is!
SAT II tests: Of the 11 schools on the shortlist, none require it (or even recommend them), and 4 actually say they won’t consider scores from them if they’re sent! I get to be happy about this.
My D struggled with Physics too. She is in the same boat with IB Physics as some of your children with Physics 1 - the course didn’t cover as much material as the SAT. The kids who take the time to self study will get the 800s. I’m trying not to push and to let her decide if she wants to study and retake. If you can miss 10 and still do ok maybe it will work out alright.
Also has ACT with writing next week because the state ACT did not include writing.
My D decided to use the 4 free scores to send her OLD SAT and May SAT 2s automatically when the May SAT 2s are released. I am wondering should we wait (not sure if we can still cancel the requests) till we know the May SAT 2 scores first? Will the schools think that you are really interested in them when you send them scores right away (when you take the tests)?
@srk2017 – just checked - you are right (thanks) it is UPENN that says prefers physics. But a number of them say send an SAT science that’s closest related to intended major - my DS is EECS so I think that’s physics. @nw2this – sorry this is affecting your daughter too!! Wait – your D is taking ACT twice close in time bc state one is not sufficient? Must be very frustrating.
My older child sent scores to a number of schools he never ended up applying to with free reports and I don’t think he heard anything from any of them. I guess they establish a file but nothing else. He had top scores so I would think some of the schools if they were really watching would have pursued him. He did get a lot fo emails from schools where he opened their app on the common app but never filled anything in. I guess schools do see that and take notice or have something set up to automatically keep reminding kids who have started an app but not finished it.
My absolute favorite PE thing we encountered on tours was at MIT if you took archery, pistol, sailing, and fencing for your 4 PE classes you get a Pirate certificate.
@whataboutcollege I don’t think sending the scores right away will be considered a strong demonstration of interest but I don’t see the harm in doing it.
I am assuming it is too late to cancel May score requests but I could be wrong.
@acdchai I think DS19 would love to get a Pirate’s certificate 
although he hasn’t tried above activities except for archery.
Okay, FWIW for ACT next week
http://www.onlinepreplive.com/ela/
http://www.onlinepreplive.com/stem/
It seems that none of DS17’s schools in “my” list requires Subject tests. We may add one school that does though.
(He doesn’t know this yet, but may eventually say) Ma, why did you make me take all these tests?!!
Well, Be Prepared. You were a scout!
Thankfully pressure-cooker Jr year is finally over…2 SAT IIs (bio and math2) today…as well as in May…hopefully stars will align for at least a couple good scores. Now on to the application process. DS will visit and actually have an on campus interview to one of his schools on Monday. His school counselor advised him to give the interviewer a one page resume so that they would have some background of his interests and academics…also gave him an official transcript to tote along since there will not actually be an application on file yet. I was surprised that the school even offered an interview this early, but clearly they’re used to doing so since the packet they sent to him was very organized and official looking. Flying in and out on same day direct flight…no toothbrush or extra clothing necessary…we’ll have to see how it feels to go to work the following day
We receive a lot of mails. D said she receives a lot of emails. But I think these are just all generic mails that schools send to do mass commercial. I normally just toss them to the recycle bin -
@CA1543 No plans to use the Coalition App. There has been enough change this year for class of 2017 so I see no need to have my son have to help them break in a new tool.
Speaking of mail, D received her first birthday card in the mail today from a school that we visited over spring break. Kind of cute. D looked at it, flipped it on to the table and said: “creepy”, and walked away…
Happy Birthday @2muchquan 's D!