[Omar007]

Hello Forum Readers,

I'm currently a UK A-level student (class of 2013), planning on applying to US Ivy league university.

I have some questions regarding the application process, and SATs subjects selections.

Firstly:

When do USA universities make final decision on acceptance or rejection?
(If i achieve high SATs results, before winter would they offer Unconditional offers before A-levels are achieved)

Secondly:

I cant really understand what SATs subjects Ivy leagues prefer, and do i take SATs I or SATs II in specific subjects?
(if anyone has experience with admission to Ivy university, please submit what subjects you took)


Looking forward to the communities response

[Omar007]

bump

[Descartesz]

The answer to your first question is a little complicated.

Most American private colleges/unis, including all the Ivy League schools, have at least two admissions programs. My remarks will apply specifically to Ivy League schools, although they will be generally true of most private schools with some variations in parameters such as deadlines and additional options.

The first (early) program comes in two types, Early Decision (ED) and Early Admission (EA). Both have November 1 application deadlines with decisions rendered by December 15 (sometimes earlier). The difference is the level of commitment assumed when applying. For ED schools (Brown, Penn, Dartmouth, Columbia, and Cornell) an application is like a marriage proposal - if you are accepted you are expected to commit to attend (with some exceptions, including admission to a non-U.S. school). So you can only apply to one ED program and, if accepted, must withdraw any pending application to another U.S. school. Indeed if you apply to an ED school you will be required to fill out a form acknowledging your commitment. For EA schools (Harvard, Yale, Princeton) this commitment is not expected--if you are accepted you can take your time, apply to other schools, and let them know by May 1 if you will come. However HYP do expect you to apply only to them and no other U.S. school during the early period (with some exceptions). If you are fortunate enough to be accepted you can continue to apply to other schools during the regular decision program.

The second (regular) program has an application deadline of January 1 (+- 1 day, depending on the school) with final notification by April 1 (usually a little earlier). There are no restrictions on where you can apply during this period. The universal notification date about whether or not you have decided to attend is May 1.

There is some debate about whether or not early application increases your chances. Certainly the percentage of applicants accepted is much higher (approximately 2x) at all schools. However the schools say they get a particularly strong pool of applicants in the early period so it is not clear that any individual application fares better. Probably the ED schools exchange a little indulgence for increased demonstration of commitment, the EA schools probably not.

Acceptance is almost unconditional. Acceptance letters do contain language which makes clear that you are expected to continue strong academic performance, but explicit grades and scores are not stipulated. So far as I know this vagueness extends to A-levels, too, so they will not stipulate a certain set of marks you must achieve. Thus, as long as you do fairly well, you are in. Rescinding admission based on post-decision grades is very rare.

Regarding testing: SAT I is the Reasoning test which everyone takes (save for those who submit ACT scores instead). SAT II refer to the Subject tests, of which all the Ivies require at least two. (There are two levels of Mathematics subject tests, I and II, which perhaps you are confusing here.) Generally speaking you can take any two, and I don't think any of the Ivies give any more explicit guidance than that. However it can be beneficial to choose tests with certain optimizing suggestions in mind:

• If you indicate a particular academic interest (major/concentration) on your application and there is at least one Subject test aligned with that interest, take it. (A prospective Physics major, for example, will probably enhance their application by taking the Physics test.)
• Applicants with STEM-related interest (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) should consider taking the Mathematics Level-II test.
• However, demonstrating strength in diverse areas can also be beneficial. (for example, Literature and Mathematics, World History and Biology).
• It isn't a bad idea to take three tests to demonstrate both depth and breadth, but IMO more than three is overkill. (Three is the maximum that can be taken on any one test date.)
• It is not good idea to fulfill the Subject test requirement by taking a language test in your first language. (For example, don't take the Spanish exam if you were raised in a Spanish-speaking household). There might or might not be explicit proscription of this, but don't do it.
• Likewise it is not a good idea to fulfill the requirement by taking both Math I and Math II, even if there are no explicit prohibitions.

Please keep in mind that these are suggestions and not implicit rules. If, for example, you have taken Math I, don't fell compelled to sit Math II as well. It is is easily possible to focus too much on tests.