Should DD take SAT II tests?

ohmmom
Thu, 14 Feb 2013 12:20:20 +0000

I would appreciate some advice on the point at which a student has produced enough standardized test scores to achieve their objectives and should get on with life. Does continuing to take standardized subject tests beyond a certain point truly help with admissions or merit aid or does it start to look a bit OCD? Specifically, the questions are (1) would there be a significant advantage to DD taking SAT II tests; and (2) if so, how many and which ones?

Background. DD is a junior in a rigorous IB diploma program and currently has a 4.0 UW GPA, although a B or two in math before she graduates would not be shocking. PSAT 228 (in a state with lower cut off scores and likely will make NMF), ACT 34, SAT 2200. She will take a lot of IB exams and will take take a few AP exams. Her ECs are good and solid (a lot of music and community service, some leadership), but not amazingly outstanding. Recommendations and essays should be very good. Unless something goes awry, she is guaranteed substantial merit money at our state flagship university. She is interested in applying to some OOS schools (probably, UMiami, Tulane, Emory, WUSL, Pitt, UGA, Goucher), but needs substantial merit aid. I can’t swear to it, but I don’t think any require SAT II tests. Would it add substantially to her application to take SAT II tests in addition to the others? If yes, how many would it require to substantially effect her record? One of her best subjects is English. She will take the IB HL and AP tests. Is anything to be gained by also taking the SAT II? It seems like that would be a bit redundant. Math is her lowest score on all the standardized tests (she will not be a STEM major), but she has made A’s in math through first semester IB Calc AB (by working hard at it). She will take the IB SL math test. Would there be any advantage to taking AP or SAT II math tests to see if she could improve her math profile?

I apologize if this seems a bit excessive. My D would like to position herself as strongly as possible in applying for merit aid and we aren’t sure what the best strategies are at this point. Thanks for any advice!