<p>I understand that silverturtle. Since you are from Illinois, I’m sure you are familiar with these schools. Don’t you think I need at least a 34 to be considered? I’m saying if I got a 36, then I would have a very good chance at getting in, as opposed to being borderline in or out.</p>
<p>If you get your ACT score into the 30s you should be fine (probably around a 32-33). Yes Northwestern and U of Chicago are tough schools to get into, but you don’t need to have a 36 to get into them.</p>
<p>From another Illinois person.</p>
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<p>Both Northwestern and University of Chicago are holistically-reviewing schools. They certainly consider (and accept) applicants with ACT scores under 34; yes, even those with ranks worse than yours.</p>
<p>I forgot to mention that I will be attending DePaul for my 1st year and trying to transfer into either NU or the University of Chicago after my 1st year. The transfer acceptance rates of Northwestern and the University of Chicago are 22% and 13% respectively. That is another reason why I believe a 34+ is needed.</p>
<p>30+ is good enough for consideration atleast. The higher your score, obviously, the better chance you will have in getting in. I have not heard of anyone who went from a 24 to a 36 in a year time span though, unless you just completely bombed the first test.</p>
<p>I’m not sure how transferring works.</p>
<p>cj is correct. you don’t need a 34+. U of Chicago looks at everything on the application. But they do not require and are not concerned with your writing score, which really does not count much even at the schools that ask for it. Remember, the act / sat score is just one part of admissions. Many other factors count, such as gpa, and some are even much much more important, like legacy, athletics etc. Good luck.</p>
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<p>What’s your source?</p>
<p>Silver – No specific source. But the fact that there is probably not a single school in the United States that even talks about average accepted writing/english scores has to mean something. Schools get a huge amount of applications. Yes, all the subsections are on the score report. But in the real world of admissions it seems, that the composite (or total SAT score) is what is basically used to screen applications. From there, maybe it they take a closer look, but I still see the composite as the key. This is my opinion. I could be wrong, bur don’t think so.
P.S. Do you know of any school that even talks about what scores their accepted students have scored in writing?
If a school like Chicago does not even want them to begin with, how much weight could others place on writing??
Good luck.</p>
<p>cjgone - i did bomb my test imo. I was not prepared and my score clearly shows that. I believe I will be fully prepared by February 6th, as I will be studying everyday until then.</p>
<p>A 24 is higher than national standards, so I wouldn’t consider it not showing preparedness. I would like to say that only around 400-600 people get a 36 each year out of the 1million + test takers.</p>
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<p>I doubt a sizable portion of those with a 24 could perform well at the nation’s top schools.</p>
<p>Chicago is not so concerned with test scores. I had a 1350 Math and CR and I got in. Seriously, a 30 or above is all you need for those two schools.</p>
<p>On the December test where I got a 24, my subscores were 24 E, 28 M, 21 R, 22 S. I did not take any practice tests prior to that test, except for a math practice test the night before. I obviously did not prepare for the test, and that’s why my score was so low. I could make excuses, but I’m not one who likes to feel sorry for himself, so all I can do is put it behind me and move on to the next exam. </p>
<p>I believe anyone can get a 36 on the ACT, as long as they devote their time and prepare for the test.</p>
<p>Not to mention the student ranked 2nd in our class got a 26 composite, and the 5th ranked student scored a 25. Students in Arizona are just not well prepared for this test, as it has a very little implication on whether you get into an Arizona school or not (Arizona Universities are a joke).</p>
<p>The students in Illinois are required by the state to take the exam so the teachers do a better job of preparing them.</p>
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<p>Perhaps anyone can, but the point is essentially without practical meaning. Some people so severely lack in intelligence that getting a 36 is almost impossible.</p>
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<p>At my high school, there is not nearly enough “teaching to the test.”</p>
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<p>The same is true in Colorado, but the teachers at my school were hardly bothered to prepare us in anyway. It was suprising, especially because it was a free test to us students (paid for by the state) and it was the first time many of my fellow students were taking the ACT. They were more miffed that my school had cut out our morning classes to administer the test. </p>
<p>Overall, I think practice is a huge factor, especially in science. Science is essentially reading. Don’t read all the experiments - it’s a waste of time. Use the test taking strategies - glance over the experiments, perhaps read the small intro to see what the general idea is, then read each question and look for the answer. Work efficiently and if you have background knowledge on a question, use it instead of looking for confirmation in the data from the experiments. </p>
<p>This overall strategy worked for me to raise my science score. I took the ACT initially last October (2008) and got a 33 on Science. When I was required by my school to take it again that following April (2009), I practiced the weekend before on science and raised my score to a 36 with around 4 hours of practice (and nothing in the months between).</p>
<p>ahh i got a 32 composite and i walked in without even knowing what the testing format was. i wish i had dedication like you.</p>
<p>Ok I don’t know why you guys bumped my old thread up, but I ended up getting a 35, and I got accepted into Princeton. so…win? =p</p>
<p>Haha, congratulations tomjonesistheman! A fine school indeed. See? And you didn’t even need a 36.</p>