Expert: Todd Johnson - 6/7/2008

Question
I am almost done with my junior year in high school; only a week left. I
already have a list of colleges to which I want to apply. I checked up on their
websites and they say that applications will be available only in September or
October. Even the Common Application website says that the Common
Application for fall 2009 isn't available yet. However, when people learn that I
haven't started working on applications as yet, they give me a shocked,
disapproving look. But I don't understand. How am I supposed to start
working on the applications if I haven't even seen them?
Also, I wanted to ask you about the SAT Subject Tests. I recently took the
Math 2 and Literature tests. I am not happy with my math test; I know I could
have done better. I am good at math and I don't want one bad test to tarnish
my resume for college. But I don't want to cancel my  test scores because my  
literature test went very well. Now, either I can wait for my scores or cancel
them (I have three days). If I cancel, I will be taking Math 2, literature and
U.S. History in the fall. However, if I wait for my scores, I will still be taking
the math test along with U.S. History in the fall. Arethere any disadvantages
to taking the same Subject Test twice? Will it be better if I just cancel my
scores?
For informational purposes, I am NOT a U.S. Citizen. I attend a DoDDS
school in Europe. I have a cumulative high school GPA of around 3.75-
3.85:all A's throughout high school except for one B and one B or C (don't
know yet). I took the SATs in May and got a 2160 - math 780, critical reading
670 and writing 710. I am taking the SATs again in October. I have had one
AP this year: AP Language. Next year I will take AP Literature, AP Statistics,
AP Calculus AB and AP Comparative Government and Politics. I want to
major in Statistics and I am considering political science as a possible minor.
Thank you for your time. I would really appreciate it if you could advise me.  

Answer
AT,

Don't worry about what other people say. You have your own path to follow. I don't know what schools you are looking at but most bring their applications out in about mid to late August. As for the common app, the only part of the application that takes only time are the essays and they are something that you should ideally be thinking about this summer. The good news is that the essay questions almost never change on the common app so take a look at an old one and start thinking about how to answer one or more of the essay questions.

As for the SAT subject tests, unless you really bombed the math test I would not cancel them. You can retake math in the fall and hopefully bring the score up. Virtually all colleges will consider your highest score so a lower test score shouldn't be a problem.

Don't worry. You are obviously a bright student and if you have chosen your colleges well, come next spring you should be able to choose among some good colleges.