There is a finite number of freshman spots available and high score subject tests will give an advantage over another applicant without them. Pretty simple concept.
For example, many of the UCs only require 2 years of a language and 3 years reccomebded. However, to be a highly competitive applicant, many kids are taking a 4th year of a language. You can bet that all things equal the kid wth 4 years of a language versus a kid with only 2 years will have an advantage.
“There is a finite number of freshman spots available and high score subject tests will give an advantage over another applicant without them.”
That’s assuming all colleges place as much value on test scores as folks on CC like to think they do. They could have easily required them or even used the word “recommended” if that was their preference. We know a lot of schools don’t weight test scores as high as other factors. Both Davidson and W&L categorize test scores as “important” not “very important” on their CDS.
I think there is a bias on CC to think that you’ve got to try to maximize it all on your application to get into selective schools. I’m not convinced admissions decisions are always made that way. I think it leads to an admissions process arms race and unnecessary stress.
^^ it’s always been an arms race, especially at selective colleges. If they “consider it” you should “consider it”.
Well, that’s the lore here but is it based on actual substance?
Nor do I think it is as much as an arms race as folks on CC like to think, especially with LACs who are more holisitic in their their admissions. Every cycle we see results which prove that test scores often aren’t the driving factor. I think too much value is given to test scores because they are easily quantifiable. If Davidson wanted subject tests, they’d require them or “recommend” them. If an applicant has taken subject tests and they are strong, sure send them in. It’s not like winning brownie points for taking the most tests. If you think it is, then how many do you suggest kids take - 3, 4, 5…? Might as well go for more if it is viewed to be that important.
Every bit is important. It’s not that high score subject tests give any blanket “advantage.” After all, the kid could have other issues. And this is holistic, not rack & stack. But the lack of subject (or AP) scores can mean an important piece in competitive decision making is missing. Any college that cherry picks will be looking at that whole.
They don’t guess, “Oh Susie must have gotten good scores, she has a 4.0.”
For the students who are making a serious attempt at a top college or program, they are already pushing themselves to extraordinary lengths. They are taking AP classes and pushing themselves to excel in ECs and community service in addition to attaining top grades. It seems silly to go to all those lengths and then stop short of checking this one last box.
For the kids who are not applying to those stratospheric level schools, its a completely different ball game.
I guess I’m biased by my own kids’ high school experience. The school, although high caliber, did not offer AP course. Some kids took the tests but they actually were not encouraged by the college counseling team. Neither were SAT subject tests unless you happened to be taking them anyway because you had schools on your list that required them. Many did but not all. It was never recommended to take them just to “check this one last box” if they weren’t required. And if you did have them and they weren’t required, the recommendation was to only send them if they were stellar.
What are folks basing their opinions on - college counselor recommendations, comments from admissions counselors, some other source, just the belief that more is better?
Its the belief that if a school you want recommends something, it makes sense to do it. If the school is going to reject 96% of the applicants, and there is any thing you can do to push the odds in your favor, it makes sense to do it. We will not be sending schools that don’t want them, but if a school recommends or welcomes scores, I think its a mistake not to do it.
In dos’s case, the intricate knowledge of the prep helps adcoms understand a kid’s rigor. But the rigor available doesn’t mean that a top college is admitting every kid who applies. You still need to present your best (the record and the app itself.)
That’s really all some are saying. Better safe than sorry.
Based on experience, for me.
** my mistake noting Exeter. That part is another thread.
MODERATOR’S NOTE:
Let’s not lose sight of the fact that the OP asked about Washington and Lee and Davidson. So please do not conflate with what is “recommended” for other universities. There is an entire thread on the general topic to which users can contribute:
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-admissions/2027962-sat-subject-tests-are-not-truly-optional-for-middle-upper-middle-class-applicants-at-elite-colleges-p1.html
Oops. @skieurope You’re right. I think I’ve been mixing up the two threads. At least for Davidson, it looks like they really don’t want any applicant to go out and take the test just for the purpose of applying to Davidson.
That state:
D is attending Davidson this Fall. Submitted 3 Subject Test scores. No way to know if it made a difference but the scores were high so we figured it wouldn’t hurt. Didn’t get merit aid (did at a number of other good schools) but did get more generous than expected need award (we are close to full pay).
General rule of thumb I recall finding while doing research on this topic: for top colleges def. submit scores 700+ and consider submitting 650+. But like many aspects of college admissions, who really knows, right?
Hope this helps.