<p>Hello. Long-time lurker, second-time poster. I have a few questions for the admissions gurus here at CC:</p>
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<li><p>If I apply early action or early decision, will I be able to send in my ACT or SAT results from September (ACT) and October (SAT)? As the last test I took was much earlier this year, I would like to see if I could improve my ACT score (and take the SAT for the first time). I realize this was stupid on my part, however, my state doesn't place importance on the SAT. Now that I want to go to college OOS, I feel it necessary to take the SAT as well.</p></li>
<li><p>Some colleges require the standardized tests WITH the writing sections, while some do not. Would it be advisable for me to take the writing sections as well?</p></li>
<li><p>Do colleges let you write your own essays? Where do I start, as far as brainstorming? How many unique essays am I going to have to write?</p></li>
<li><p>When and how do I figure out my unweighted and weighted GPA and class rank? As I am applying as quickly to colleges as possible (so as not to procrastinate), will grades from the early part of my senior year be factored in? </p></li>
</ol>
<p>Thanks to anyone who is willing to devote some time to a curious upcoming senior.</p>
<p>yes. the september ACT and october SAT are typically the last tests they take for the november 1st deadline. however, some schools will allow the november 1st SAT. (i know NYU does)</p>
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<p>what schools take the ACT without writing? i haven’t heard of any. definitely take the writing.</p>
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<p>some do, some don’t. some have “topic of your choice.” others want you to write about something specifically.</p>
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<p>to find out your rank/UW GPA/W GPA, you should ask your guidance counselor.</p>
<p>and most EA/SCEA/ED deadlines are 11/1. i don’t know of any schools that are done with a semester by then, so no - the first part of your senior year will not be factored in.</p>
<p>Thanks for the reply. I figured senior year wouldn’t be factored in at all, but now that I know for certain, I am a bit let down. Does this mean my class selection doesn’t matter, either?</p>
<p>Two more questions. How many schools should I apply to?</p>
<p>And two, since I’m doing my applications ASAP (and senior year isn’t factored in), can I go ahead and ask for my GPA and rank in the beginning of my senior year?</p>
Senior year is factored in. You send your senior year schedule to the colleges as part of your application, and your GC sends it in as part of the school report. For EA/ED, the rigor of your schedule is considered; your grades are not factored into the admissions decision, but they are factored into whether you keep your admissions.</p>
<p>Additionally, schools have been known to rescind offers on the basis of a poor senior year or changing the second semester schedule drastically.</p>
<p>Ten schools is a little obnoxious and very expensive. I’d recommend 6-8. Two matches, two reaches, and two safeties. You won’t need two safeties if one of them as rolling admissions.</p>
<p>You should first sit down with your parents and find out approximately what they can contribute – to just go off and apply to ten schools w/o that serious discussion is foolish. There are various financial calculators for families. Once that’s done, then you need to start the search process – it sounds as if you have some in mind already. </p>
<p>Most of the questions you have are school-specific (e.g. “free” essay topic). You should download the various pdf files from the schools you’re targeting. Good luck</p>
<p>Thanks for the reply, to all of you. I do have schools in mind, but I haven’t finalized any of them or decided if I need to cross any off the list. That’s what this is all about.</p>
<p>“Thanks for the reply. I figured senior year wouldn’t be factored in at all, but now that I know for certain, I am a bit let down. Does this mean my class selection doesn’t matter, either?”</p>
<p>Class selection is factored. Final grades matter, too, and Fs or Ds or doing something like going from straight As to straight Cs will probably get your admission rescinded. All colleges say that acceptance is contingent on your final grades’ being acceptable.</p>
<p>First, History, I noticed you said you felt very stressed and I want to encourage you to just breathe and not get ahead of yourself. It might help you to make a list of deadlines and put it all in perspective (if you’re the kind of kid who can stick to your own deadlines.) You have plenty of time to do everything you need to do. Junior year is a tough year and since you made it thru alive you’ll be just fine this next year. You don’t actually have to take the SATs if you took the ACT, from what I understand. Though if you want to try them, you should. Just keep in mind that there are all sorts of really fantastic schools out there, and you will find the best one for you.</p>
you’ll be just fine this next year. You don’t actually have to take the SATs if you took the ACT, from what I understand. Though if you want to try them, you should. Just keep in mind that there are all sorts of really fantastic schools out there, and you will find the best one for you.</p>