Hi!
I am a current junior planning to apply ED to Brown next year. I just got my second ACT results back and can’t decide if I should take it again or not.
I have a 32 ACT. I currently have a 3.9 unweighted GPA.
I scored very high on English and Reading, but could probably increase my science and math scores if necessary.
I would like some advice on whether or not I should retake the ACT in order to increase my chances of getting into Brown next year.
Thanks!!
I would advise retaking. A 33 will be around average for brown, and above that will give you an edge over other people in the application pool. Obviously, your application has a lot of facets beyond just numbers, but I think an improvement of even just a point or two could really help you out.
Conventional wisdom says you should take standardized tests no more than twice as it may give the impression you’re chasing high scores versus being inately intelligent. I would take it at least twice and if you hadn’t practiced for the first test, it could significantly raise your score for the second as its as much about test taking skills as knowlege. Getting into Brown however, will take more than high GPA and standardized test scores. You should be able to articulate why Brown is a good fit, and demonstrate leadership in your ECs and how you will contribute to the Brown community.
Thank you both Lehnsherr and preppedparent this was very helpful! I think I will take it once more to try and improve my school by a point or two!
Your ACT score alone will not lead to rejection (32 is average for Brown). You can retake it, but it most likely won’t make much of a difference. Brown does only consider highest subs if you send multiple tests, though, so that could be an advantage for you if you take it again. I applied ED with a 34 superscore. I was deferred and am waiting to hear back. Good luck!
ap012199 thank you and good luck to you as well!
I don’t think a 32 would be grounds to reject, but have you tried the SAT? Unfortunately, I can’t chance you without any extracurriculars or further information. 
Chance back?
Once you already have a 3.75+ GPA and a 30+ ACT score, you’re academically qualified. Retaking an exam is futile. Once you’re academically qualified, everything else is subjective. That being said, you have a chance based on numbers only.
Nope^. If you’re serious about Brown, you should probably retake to a 33+. You never want to be “average” unless your ECs or ethnicity/ first gen can compromise it.
Because I want you to have the best shot possible, I’m going to be honest: Please retake your ACT. You are competing in a field of applicants of 4.0+ and 33+ ACT scores. Don’t let your ACT score be a hesitant to your admission. GL(:
@AshleyMisAwesome As someone who works in admissions at a school ranked higher than Brown, I can assure you, you are wrong.
@CaliCash OP said that he/she could raise his/her science and math score. I just want OP to have the best shot he/she could. I was rejected early decision from a top 10 school, and I was in their 25th percentile. Once I raised my ACT score in December, I got into a top 3 school. Sure the ACT score wasn’t all that got me in, but it calmed me down and made me less stressed when applying in January.
@AshleyMisAwesome You would only be able to make that argument legitimately if you applied to the same school twice with different grades. OP, if you wanna take the exam again go for it, but I personally think it’s a futile effort.