How to Stand Out When Applying to U.S. Universities After the Cancellation of SAT II Subject Tests? | UP-STUDY Educational Center

The College Board announced on January 19 that it will no longer administer SAT II Subject Tests and SAT with Essay exams in the future.

The College Board stated that the cancellation of SAT II is aimed at reducing the burden on test takers, and its function can be replaced by Advanced Placement (AP) exams, which have been increasingly popular and incorporated into the application requirements of many schools, making SAT II unnecessary. As for the cancellation of the SAT Essay, this is due to changes in university admissions policies, with fewer schools requiring applicants to submit Optional Essay scores, thus reducing the number of students choosing to take it. Additionally, the College Board believes that the SAT Essay should not be the only way to assess students' writing abilities, encouraging students to focus on existing materials and demonstrate their writing skills in more creative ways, indirectly acknowledging the redundancy of the SAT Essay.

With the College Board's announcement, it is clear that SAT Subject Tests and SAT with Essay will be removed from school admissions requirements in the future. In light of these changes, how should Taiwanese high school students and parents respond when applying to U.S. universities?

SAT II is canceled, but what about SAT?

Do students still need to take the SAT? Or should they switch to the ACT?

Due to the pandemic this year, many schools have adopted Test-Optional or Test-Blind policies, significantly reducing the importance of standardized tests like the SAT or ACT, and some schools have even announced plans to gradually phase out these requirements in the future. However, many prestigious schools remain cautious about the cancellation of the SAT and ACT exams, stating that they will evaluate this year's Test-Optional format as a consideration for future admissions policies. We believe that SAT or ACT exams will not disappear in the short term, so, without affecting the student's academic progress, UP-STUDY advises students to prepare for the SAT or ACT early and aim for high scores to be fully prepared for any uncertain situations.

As for choosing between the two exams, it depends on the student's strengths in specific subjects and the timing of the tests. There will be no difference in the application outcome based on the choice, and students can make their selection based on personal needs.

Without the SAT Subject Tests, how can I highlight my strengths?

With the removal of the SAT Subject Tests as an objective measure, students face the dilemma of how to highlight their specialties. Academic performance, due to various factors, may not necessarily reflect strengths in specific subjects. In this situation, we suggest that students take advantage of extracurricular activities, particularly competition-type projects. Examples such as science fairs, robotics triathlons, English speech competitions, Model United Nations (MUN), or business competitions organized by companies can all demonstrate an applicant's interest and abilities in specific academic fields. These activities can also provide material for writing college application essays, serving two purposes in one.

What other ways can I increase my competitiveness?

To stand out among many excellent applicants, candidates need to maintain a certain level of academic performance. However, in the context of American college applications that emphasize well-rounded development, the benefit of a high GPA has been diminishing year by year.

We encourage high school students in grades 10 and 11 to take advantage of the relatively lighter academic load to engage more in extracurricular activities, expanding their horizons. If they already have a clear goal for their future field of study, they can focus on that area. For example, students aspiring to study political science can participate in student government or Model United Nations (MUN); those aiming for business or management can look into business competitions organized by companies or universities, or participate in planning class activities. These experiences are valuable and can also help students confirm their academic interests.

In addition to extracurricular activities, due to the changes in the 108 Curriculum Guidelines, high school students now have more flexibility in their course selection, with a wider range of elective courses to choose from, providing an excellent opportunity to showcase personal strengths. Students can plan their courses to build a coherent application profile or discuss with UP-STUDY consultants to develop the most suitable course selection plan for their application file.

The above discusses the changes and responses resulting from the cancellation of the SAT II. We hope this provides some direction for students preparing to apply to U.S. universities. If you would like to discuss your individual situation in more depth or learn more about studying in the U.S., feel free to leave your information below or call to schedule a consultation. The UP-STUDY consultant team is happy to assist and hopes to support you in your application journey!

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