English Lit Subject Test -- When to send?

[Nretsi]

Hello all,

 

I'm wondering (either from conversations with advisors, people who have been accepted into programs, or just what other people this year are doing) when should I send a subject score if the school says it is 1) optional or 2) recommended? I have a feeling that these are basically the same thing, and that the programs just word it differently in an attempt to sound more human. 

 

Anyways, I am applying to English lit. Ph.D. programs at some of the *fancy* schools where it is optional, so I'm just unsure of whether my score could actually hurt my application and if it's worth forking over the $27 to the soul-suckers. I scored in the 79th percentile for the subject test. Not bad, but way better than what I was expecting. My regular GRE is no problem and I think my GPA is fine as well.

 

Thanks!!

Edited November 25, 2014 by Nretsi