<p>I'm doing some major studying and re-education to prepare myself for college. Hopefully, I can make it into some of the top schools (MIT, Harvard, Stanford...)</p>
<p>I jumped my score up to 32 this past Spring. I'd need to take the Sep/Oct test if I want to retake it - but I'm not sure if I should. I feel so pretentious and ungrateful by pondering if I should retake in hopes for a higher score and that bothers me. But I also know that a higher score will give me a sharper edge.</p>
<p>Some people say a 32 isn't good enough for the top schools I've listed. Others say it's passable and a waste of time to try to study any more.</p>
<p>My son’s starting his sophomore year at MIT and got in with a 32 (never took the SAT). So it’s possible, but obviously depends on the rest of your application. That said, if you have the time and money and think there’s a chance you could raise it to around a 34, I’d probably try. My S had taken it 3 times and that was his last (and highest) fall of senior year.</p>
<p>i have a 32 act (33 superscore) and im applying to top schools also, so i wouldnt waste the time or money in my opinion as longs as you have really good grades and stand out ECs. plus if you look at the middle 50% range for scores for almost all top schools its 30-34 or 31-34 so youre within the range. some people on this site are kind of unrealistic in thinking you can only get into a top school with a perfect score</p>
<p>@dirkslam - not sure where you get that. From their website ([Admissions</a> Statistics | MIT Admissions](<a href=“http://mitadmissions.org/apply/process/stats]Admissions”>Admissions statistics | MIT Admissions)), the middle 50th percentile (from 25-75) for ACT Composite is 32/35. Meaning even if we divide that by 4 evenly, approximately 37 percent of the class is at or below a 32. Obviously you want to look at your subscores - the 75 percentile for math is a 36, meaning that probably that same percentage got a perfect score on math so if the composite 32 is due to 3 high scores in other areas and a 29 in math, yes, your chances would be reduced. So for the OP, I’d look at the math and science and if they’re not the higher of their 4 scores, maybe reconsider taking it again for that reason. (My son with the 32 composite had a 36 in math every time he took it, but his highest science was a 32).</p>
<p>It helps a lot if you do outside activities too. I know a kid that got into Harvard with a 28 but he was also a good football player and is one of their best players now. If you only have scores, your kinda screwed. I know someone who only focused on school and got a 35 and didnt get into an ivy school. If you are a well rounded person/student/athlete/etc, you should have no problem.</p>
<p>P.S. People from Yale have contacted me and I only got a 26 but I do track, cross country, and soccer and am one of the best in the state for each. And my scores suck!</p>
<p>I agree, if you have the time and the money and the patience to do it again, why not? It has nothing to do with what other people would do, but what you want. Will you regret it if you don’t? Then retake it!</p>
<p>@dirkslam, MIT’s 25th/75th percentile ACT scores are [32,35]. My SAT scores were even lower. But I did have a lot of EC’s and state/national awards, many of them outside of school. Plus, the grades, interview, rec letters, etc. compensated.</p>
Thank you for sharing!</p>