<p>I'm a Junior who really wants to go to WASH U
However, My test score didn't come out as high as I wanted it to be
I done everything well besides that three hour test
My class rank is number one
I am ASB president
played varsity soccer since freshmen
placed two seconds at state for biomedical debate and first this year for that
I was two club president
and I just became State president for that club which is called Health Occupation Students of America
My psychology research won the senior research potential award at a university Psych Forum ans I was selected as a top researcher
I took several concurrent classes that I'm getting college credits for. </p>
<p>I'm planning on getting certified as Emergency Medical Technician and Certified Nursing Assitatn in my senior year so I can work as an Emergency Room Technician </p>
<p>There more things that I have done in my three years of High school than that dreaded three hour test. Based on this would I be likely accepted into the school next year, or am I just dreaming too big? </p>
<p>Stressed out junior</p>
<p>Besides the ACT score and terrible spelling, you do have a lot going for you. But, don’t give your hopes up. The 28 ACT is far below the average ACT range for Wash U (it’s a 32 or 33, I believe), and that can pretty much bar admission at any highly selective school in Wash U’s range. Take the ACT again in a couple months and really focus on studying. I took the SAT and not the ACT, but what I know about standardized tests is that it is pretty predictable what types of questions will be tested. Just really dig in with your studying this summer, take several practice/old ACT tests, etc, and you can probably boost your score into the 30s. That will help, but keep in mind that I’m sure the overwhelming majority of applicants have scores in this range</p>
<p>Work harder at the ACT…take lots of practie tests, etc. A 28 with qualifications such as yours indicates lack of preparation…may want to try the SAT.</p>
<p>Without at least a 30 your chances, even with great everything-else are probably a hope at best.</p>
<p>And as for your last point "Based on this would I be likely accepted into the school next year, or am I just dreaming too big? "</p>
<p>Even with your stuff and a perfect ACT scores, admission to Wash U is far from being a likely acceptance.</p>
<p>My D had a 28 ACT, and similar ECs, and took the SAT and scored the equivalent of an ACT 30, and got into Northwestern, graduated with a ChemE degree and is now working in her field of study. </p>
<p>Good luck.</p>
<p>Without higher test scores, your chances are not good since none of your activities or anything show any hook. You gotta get in on academic merit and that means high test scores AND class rank. My current senior had the same issues. Good student but the test scores were a big problem for him. In his case, he did not apply to schools where his test scores were in the lower end of the spectrum unless they were Fairttest or used SATs primarily. If you can get high scores on some SAT2s that can make a difference too. But according to his counselor and the school Naviance, there isn’t much of a break given often at all for low test scores.</p>
<p>Maybe try the SAT in oct? I took both but did better on the SAT so I submitted only that.</p>
<p>Make sure you apply to schools with a range of selectivity levels. A 28 ACT is well below the 25th percentile for WashU, so your odds are not good, especially if you don’t have some kind of admissions hook. However, there are plenty of fine colleges where a 28 ACT is within the 25-75th percentile range, so make sure you apply to some of them too. </p>
<p>You could take the ACT again and/or try the SAT, to try to raise your scores.</p>
<p>It is always worth it to try to improve your score, and perhaps to try the SAT instead, or in addition, to taking the ACT again. But… don’t let just one score deter your from applying. You cannot guarantee admission anywhere, and you can not be sure you will be denied anywhere, either. You may write the most amazing essay which sways the committee, or do something that impresses them. Just don’t get your heart set on only one place, even if all your stats are “in range”, or even perfect. There are no guarantees.</p>
<p>most people i’ve talked to at washu have not had overwhelming success with the act but their SAT scores were all excellent. try taking the act again and if that doesnt work out focus on the SAT. i studied for 2+ years for the SAT and just kind of did the ACT on the side just to see what i get. I did better on that ACT than any of my sat scores. it just depends on the kind of person you are and the kind of test youre good at</p>
<p>try taking the SAT, i had a 31 ACT but 2350 SAT</p>
<p>Where do you think you ‘failed’ in the ACT? Were you weak in one or two areas only or consistent across the board? The ACT tests more what you’ve learned in high school and the science and reading sections are more difficult to complete if you’re not a fast reader. There are more questions with less time from what I understand on the ACT compared to the SAT so if you ‘fell down’ in these areas, you may want to consider the SAT like others have suggested. The SAT tests more critical thinking skills. My son has taken both but for him they’ve been pretty equal but that’s not the case for everyone. It’s definitely worth taking a review course (even if it’s online) so you can practice questions and timed testing at both the SAT and ACT. Retake the ACT in September and consider the SAT in October. Good luck!</p>
<p>nugraddad, considering your daughter has already graduated, admissions are quite different now. They are much more competitive. Yes it is possible to get into Wash U with a 28 I’m sure (if the average is a 32, that means 50% of admitted students have a score lower than that), but it will be much harder than if you have a 32/33. I would try the SAT if you haven’t. I know they’re supposed to be similar tests, but they’re really not for many people. I was consistently scoring below a 2100 with practice on the SAT and got a 34 on the ACT when I winged it.</p>
<p>Also, can you give us the breakdown?
Preparing for improvement of a 28, 28, 28, 28 is much different than a 32, 32, 32, 16. I know that’s pretty exaggerated, but I think you know what I mean.</p>