<p>I am debating whether I should retake the ACT or not.</p>
<p>I got a 29, no studying or preparing of any sort. </p>
<p>My GPA is a 3.8 UM, I take all IB classes (diploma candidate), and have a decent load of extracurriculars and such. I will be applying to LSA this fall (ED).</p>
<p>How much do they really care about about the standardized testing?
Is it worth to retake in the fall? </p>
<p>Thanks for any insights!</p>
<p>you don't need to... but its always better to if you can get a better score. Because UofM is such a huge school, there's not much time to review each applicant's ability to succeed accurately. Thus, many large schools put a good strong emphasis on the applicant's SAT/ACT score to see how "smart" the applicant is (for there is no easier way than a standardized test for large schools to rate students on their ability to succeed) Yes. It is worth retaking it in the fall if you can. for instance, your chance of getting into michigan will highly rise if you get a 31+, though i would currently put you as a match, you cannot be too sure</p>
<p>I think you should retake the ACT just so you can get a 30. Even though a 30 is only one point above a 29, it changes the tens place and looks a lot better.</p>
<p>^college admissions is not that stupid... Though they don't claim to do a "point system", they basically do with the act/sats. A single point does not look significantly better because it changes the tens place. Maybe with peers and parents a 30 can look a lot better than a 29, but with college admissions, it does not "look a lot better" as you say.</p>
<p>Historically, when Michigan used to accept 60%+ of its applicants, I would have said that the ACT was of no importance. But Michigan no longer accepts 60%+ of its applicants. Michigan accepted 42% of its applicants this year and will probably accept fewer than 40% when you apply. At this stage, GPA/strength of high school curriculum will no longer be the only determinent. It will remain the primary factor, but the importance of the ACT/SAT will start increasing. </p>
<p>A 3.8 GPA with 29 ACT would place you exactly at the midpoint of the 2006 Freshman class. However, that's including other colleges, such as Nursing and Kinesiology, as well as URMs. As such, assuming you aren't an URM, I would have to say that Michigan is slight reach if you are an in-stater and a straight reach if you are an out-of-stater. Either way, I recommend you retake the ACT and aim for a 31+.</p>
<p>I disagree about "slight reach" as an in-state student. In my opinion, you would have a realistic chance of getting in with a 29, but I wouldn't take much confidence in it. With that said, I also recommend you retake the ACT with a little prepwork. Taking a couple practice tests and seeing the reasons you are making mistakes could probably add a point or two to your score.</p>
<p>Dsmo, I agree that the OP has a "realistic chance" of getting into Michigan if he is an in-state applicant. But I still think it would be a slight reach. Dsmo, I am used to a Michigan that admits over 60% of its applicants. You are used to a Michigan that accepts 50% of its applicants. The OP and future applicants will have to contend with a Michigan that accepts fewer than 40% of applicants. We must make allowances for that change in reality.</p>
<p>I guess we shall see. My younger sister will be applying this year, and I'm sure that most of her friends will as well, so I'm guessing that I will hear a good deal about what kind of score from a suburban Detroit high school will get you in.</p>
<p>I would also tell you to study, take some courses and get a good grade on ACTs. If you got a 29 without studying, you will probably get a better score with little preparation. Most colleges these days look at both SAT and ACTs equally, therefore it would only be logical to try your best on both. If you get above 31, you increase your chances of getting into not only Michigan, but also other prestigious schools, so just try, it won't hurt. Now, if you are out of state student, Michigan will be a reach with 29.</p>
<p>shoot for 30+</p>
<p>apply with the 29 and also retake the test. if you can be admitted on the 29 then you won't have anything to worry about.</p>
<p>Yes, it's very much worth it to retake. Apply early and then retake and then send those scores. My stats were near identical to yours, I got a 29 in April and retook it again in June with no prep and got a 33. It's DEFINITELY worth it to at least try again now that you're prepared for the format and everything of the test.</p>
<p>Hey, thanks for all the replies.
I think I am going to retake it in September, because admissions do get competitive each year, and being in the middle doesn't help.</p>
<p>Now, my question is... do I fill out my application like I normally would, and include the 29? How would I go about submitting my new score once my application is submitted? </p>
<p>Btw, I am in-state.</p>
<p>just submit with your application, and send again after you send your application. They'll just add it when they get it. If you apply around october, they probably won't touch your application till mid november so you'll be fine.</p>