Standardized Test Question

Applying to College
1

<p>I’m a junior, and I’ve been contemplating about whether I should apply to a few top schools next year. The ones I have in mind are Amherst, Brown and Princeton, and U Chicago. I want to study economics, computer science, and Chinese, but the major/minor/concentration is flexible on my part. However, if I were to apply to Princeton, I would need 3 SAT IIs, and I’m not sure if I want to mess with that. </p>

<p>I’ve already taken the SAT I with Cr 720 M 680 W 710, and I’ll most likely retake it sometime in April, May, or June (not positive if all those months are offered). I’ll be taking the ACT in February, which will take care of all (I think) except Princeton.</p>

<p>I haven’t visited any of these, and it’s still kind of early to decide, but I need to start thinking. The reason these schools attract me is their financial aid. I need lots of financial aid to make a college education affordable. Hence, Princeton ranks high on my list with its no-loan policy.</p>

<p>Is it worth my time to take SAT IIs in the spring? My high school doesn’t have APs, and I think a lot of the SAT II questions are really hard. My strengths seem to be Spanish, Literature, and US/World History. Yeah, I’m not that great at College Board’s math. I’m in Pre Calc now, so I would probably be ready for Math 2 if I had a prep book.</p>

<p>I guess I’m asking if Princeton is worth the effort just because of its financial aid. I don’t think I would be unhappy there, but there isn’t a whole lot to like about New Jersey, and I live in western Ohio so it’s quite a distance.</p>

<p>Would it be a good idea to take the SAT IIs even if the other schools don’t require them? Amherst and Brown allow applicants to send the ACT instead of all College Board’s gobbledygook, so I would be OK there.</p>

<p>Any input is appreciated.</p>

2

<p>bump…</p>

3

<p>It is a good idea to take at least two SAT IIs no matter what - many schools require at least two, and if you add a school on at the last minute, you will want to have all of your tests taken. And if you’re taking two anyway, you might as well take three, unless you really think you will do badly.</p>

4

<p>

Get that 800 in Chinese next Nov, not hard if you’ve studied it for 2+ years.
Math Level 2…take that…
If Spanish, History, and Lit are your strengths, I really don’t see why you should doubt yourself. Just take a glimpse of the type of questions at your local bookstore!
Oh and say you’re taking APUSH next spring, you might as well take the SAT II!</p>

5

<p>I haven’t studied Chinese at all. That’s the idea of learning it in college. So that one’s out. I could take Spanish though.</p>

<p>My school has no APs, but I don’t see that as a disadvantage on the SAT IIs.</p>

<p>Should I have a science one? I’m taking Chemistry and Physics this year, but I have the same teacher for both and the teacher isn’t fantastic. I had Biology my sophomore year, again with a not-so-great teacher, but I could make do with a prep book. If the college doesn’t require a science SAT II, should I even bother taking one?</p>

<p>I’m not that experienced with SAT IIs, since no one here takes them. I would quite plausibly be the only one in the test center taking them. Thanks for the advice so far!</p>

6

<p>Don’t take SAT 2 Spanish unless you took 5 years of Spanish first…trust me.</p>

7

<p>I’d suggest going to a bookstore and looking at some prep books and practice tests for Lit, Spanish, and either of the History tests. See which ones you actually are prepared for, and then also which one(s) you’re willing to work on.</p>

<p>As for Princeton…if you don’t like the area and aren’t amazed by the school, don’t apply just for money’s sake. You’d be better off researching schools you would like that also give good aid.</p>

8

<p>I guess what I’m most concerned about is having abysmal SAT II scores that will detract from my application. My school doesn’t have Spanish until high school, so will that be a huge problem? I think I can understand enough to take the test, since I can read newspapers and watch the news in Spanish. I probably won’t be taking the listening test, mostly because of cost and it’s given at an inconvenient time (November can be used for much better things than taking tests). </p>

<p>Do prep books usually come in individual tests, or can you buy one with all the tests?</p>