UC SAT II's

[mikejm11]

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Hey guys I hate to sound naive about the UC application process but they make it so damn hard to find the information I want on their website.

If I want to major in Biology at a UC(lower tier of course, UCI, UCD, UCR,UCSC,UCSB) I obviously should take subject tests even though they aren't required. But which ones besides Biology? I am signed up for Math II, Bio, and Literature. I am taking Math II even though I just started Pre-calc my senior year so I am not expecting a great score. This leads me to my next question. How valuable is Math II test to a Bio major on the pre med track? Obviously you need to take Calculus as a Pre req for med schools but in all honesty, does it matter for a BIO major? If so I may be in trouble because the chance of me getting a 700+ on it are quite low.

Oh and also I got a 30 on the math section of the ACT, do you think this would sort of cover up an average score on the Math II?

Oh and another question lol: How much will the 5 I got on my AP test in Bio help me get into a Bio major.

 

[ModernAlchemist]

Hey guys I hate to sound naive about the UC application process but they make it so damn hard to find the information I want on their website.

If I want to major in Biology at a UC(lower tier of course, UCI, UCD, UCR,UCSC,UCSB) I obviously should take subject tests even though they aren't required. But which ones besides Biology? I am signed up for Math II, Bio, and Literature. I am taking Math II even though I just started Pre-calc my senior year so I am not expecting a great score. This leads me to my next question. How valuable is Math II test to a Bio major on the pre med track? Obviously you need to take Calculus as a Pre req for med schools but in all honesty, does it matter for a BIO major? If so I may be in trouble because the chance of me getting a 700+ on it are quite low.

Oh and also I got a 30 on the math section of the ACT, do you think this would sort of cover up an average score on the Math II?

Oh and another question lol: How much will the 5 I got on my AP test in Bio help me get into a Bio major.

I don't think that matters. They'll probably look at your entire application. I came into UCI as Bio and I never took the bio subject test (took Math II and English) and got a 2 on the AP Bio test. I ended up doing really well in Bio when I got to school, though. FYI, Bio at UCI and UCD are REALLY competitive. If I could go back in time, I would research which schools did not have strict bell curves in Bio classes and then go there. It just takes a lot of stress off and allows you to learn the material really well, but without thinking about competition. Good luck!

 

[mikejm11]

Yeah I heard that the UC's and in particular UCI are very competitive in terms of biology. I guess in a way getting into a UC would be great, but competing against all the kids with eidetic memory would suck.

Thanks for the insight!

 

[mikejm11]

need more insight

 

[mas1996]

Literature is one of the hardest. There is no real way to guarantee a good score on it. All you can do is take a lot of practice tests. Hope for easy passages. Your scores will be volatile.

It's always nice to show that you are well-rounded. If possible, take something that isn't science or math. Try a history (if you feel good about it) lit, or a language. So I would try lit and take it twice. If you don't do well, do math.

Or you can do 3 😉