<p>So my act is a 28, and I won't be able to bring it up. I have a 4.07 w gpa and a 3.98 uw, also in the top 2% of class. I'm trying for weslyan, Cornell, Barnard, rice, and maybe Columbia/Chicago (most likely not due to my act). Is there a possibility or is the score too low? </p>
<p>Why won’t you be able to raise it up?</p>
<p>Because I don’t do well on these tests. I do study but it doesn’t show. </p>
<p>I suggest focusing on test-optional schools, while taking the test (or the SAT) again in the fall. Do not create your list based on the score you dream of receiving. Wesleyan is going test-optional. Those other schools are very high reaches for you with your existing score. Your GPA is excellent, but there is not a great difference between the weighted and unweighted. Did you take the “most demanding available courseload” at your school. That is absolutely critical in determining your chances. No college will hold it against you if your school did not offer AP or IB classes that would be weighted, but they will if you elected not to take rigorous classes that were available. What sort of extracurricular activities were you involved in? Since your test scores are significantly below average for the schools you mentioned, you would need some exceptional qualifications to compensate for them. </p>
<p>Your ACT is not horrible! But if your really feel bad about it, apply to schools that are test optional. Some great ones include Wesleyan, Wake Forest, American, Brandeis, and Lawrence. A full list can be found here: <a href=“ACT/SAT Optional List - Fairtest”>http://www.fairtest.org/university/optional</a></p>
<p>Good luck!! </p>
<p>My d. was admitted to Barnard with a 27 ACT. I think they place a lot more importance on GPA & class rank – as well as other holistic factors (your EC’s etc.). You should definitely not let your ACT score deter you from applying. From the most recent Common Data Set, 35% of enrolling Barnard students have ACT scores between 23-29. </p>
<p>Focus on your strengths in your application. Barnard is not a “high” reach with your GPA-- you should view it as a a reach or a high match, depending on what else you have to offer. </p>
<p>Tell your story – in August 2012, you posted:
</p>
<p>Barnard will value all of those things. I think they will also consider your ACT scores in the context of English being your second language. </p>
<p>Of course you also need to apply to colleges which are safeties - I am sure that with your GPA and class rank you can probably count on admission to your in-state public, and you may be eligible for merit aid at many other colleges that are not as selective as the ones you’ve listed. </p>
<p>I’d note that my d.was also admitted to U. of Chicago-- but that’s harder for me to predict because my d. was applying to colleges 8 years ago, and there have been much more significant changes in Chicago’s admit rate and the test score ranges of enrolling students. So I’d see Chicago as much more of a reach these days.</p>
<p>You might want to consider some of the other women’s colleges with higher acceptance rates, such as Mt. Holyoke or Bryn Mawr. </p>