<p>I know most people would be ecstatic with a 34. I am SO happy to have gotten such a solid score, and I think it will really be a strong point in my application for top schools. I'm in a bit of a predicament though. I have a low class rank (12%) for the schools I'm applying to:</p>
<p>Brown (first choice!)
Notre Dame (second choice)
Northwestern
Rice
Columbia
Georgetown
Boston College
UT </p>
<p>I was only ONE point away from a 35! Usually I do better in reading and math. If I could retake this test and get one point higher, I feel like my ACT scores would go from being average (for top schools) to a strong point on my application. I understand that no part of the application can compensate for another part, but I just feel like I CAN get a 35!</p>
<p>Please give me some advice. Should I just accept my score? Will that one point make a difference?</p>
<p>Personally, I wouldnt. I'd start focusing on everything else. Test scores can only get you so far...and I think the 34 would do that. 35 wont be a HUGE difference, better essays would be.</p>
<p>But of course, if you think you can do it and wont detract any time from everything else you need to be doing to get into those schools, then take it?</p>
<p>When I just looked at Brown's facts and figures, they had 33-35 in one category and 36 in another. You should be aiming for the 36, so if you think you can only get a 35, I wouldn't and work more on college stuff. But hey if you want to pay the $40-60 to take it and won't spend time for studying(to put that time into other things), then I say go for it.</p>
<p>He can definitely get the 35, but it should be more about the 36 and whether it'll interfere with college apps and essays. Don't want to send it blindly though and do worse.</p>
<p>I think I can take it on without it interfering with anything. I'm making top grades in my classes right now while doing marching/concert band 10+ hours outside of school. I've already written my common app essay and supplements for 3 of my schools.</p>
<p>Studying for me would just mean taking every practice test I can get my hands on, and getting my time down. I improved from a 30 to a 35 on science by taking the test with one or two minutes less than the actual time and just drilling practice tests. I've gotten a 36 many times on practice reading tests and english tests... just never together, lol! </p>
<p>I'm starting to lean towards taking it again... I guess I should mention that my ACT superscore is already a 35 (36, 34, 34, 35). So I guess if I took it again I would be aiming for a 36 composite, since Brown does superscore.</p>