<p>Hi CC,
I'm a rising senior. This is my first thread. Don't eat me alive. D:</p>
<p>I plan on applying ED to an ivy that will accept ACT as a substitution for SAT reasoning & SAT subject tests. I've struggled with SAT since sophomore year, and now I have a 2150 (740CR, 680M, 730W). I'm retaking in October.</p>
<p>My subject tests were horrible. I spent two weeks holed up in my room with Princeton Review, but I didn't sleep at all the night before the test. 780 Math II, 690 bio :((, and my chemistry score is too embarrassing to post. </p>
<p>Needless to say, I'm out of time (for early decision at least). If I don't take ACT, I'll submit my 780 Math II, 690 Bio, and whatever score I get in October to my dream school, retake bio and chem in November, and hope that those scores get to them in time for ED (they probably won't, which is why I have to submit my bio.) I want to take the ACT to hide my biology score. However, I've noticed that a lot of people who submit ACT to this school submit subject tests anyway. </p>
<p>I bought Peterson's ultimate tool kit and Barron's 36 or whatever, but I've never taken ACT before and I'm really unfamiliar with it. I only have until September. I could juggle learning ACT, studying better for the SAT, bio, AND chem, or I could just commit to SAT and have to deal with submitting a 690 bio to an ivy. Am I wasting my time learning ACT? Is it pointless to take it to cover up a subject test for one school? Is this post too long and annoying for you guys to read and give me untainted feedback? Is a 690 really that bad?</p>
<p>Three ivies accept ACT in lieu of both SAT and SAT IIs, Yale, Brown and Penn. The others require two (not three) IIs even if you submit ACT. Understand that the Yale, Bown, Penn rule is that they will determine admission either by SAT with SAT IIs or by ACT. The IIs are not considered for purpose of admission if you are relying on ACT. So it would not be pointless if you got a high ACT score.</p>
<p>Also be aware that the ivies which have early decision or early action accept Nov SAT IIs for it but you should specify the school as one of your free sends on your application for the test so that it is sent automatically when it comes out and arrives on time.</p>
<p>Brown’s website says that they might not get November SAT scores in time for early decision and that applicants are “strongly urged” to get it done by October. I don’t want to take that chance. So if I do SAT and SAT II alone, I’ll have to submit my crappy bio score.</p>
<p>And the reason I’m dealing with three subject tests is because I’m interested in HPME, which requires chemistry, and Northwestern “recommends” three subject tests.</p>
<p>Only two schools of twelve on my list accept ACT as a substitute for SAT I & II. That’s why I’m leaning towards dropping ACT and just sending a 690 in bio to Brown and hoping they get whatever I get in November.</p>
<p>Will starting now give me enough time to increase my SAT by 150 points AND learn ACT (by September)? I would like a 34 at least. But I don’t want to juggle ACT if Brown will take me with a 690.</p>
<p>I don’t think a 690 in Bio will keep you out of Brown. Nor will it get you in. It all depends upon the rest of your package. I do not think that the 690 in Bio will be the deciding factor. Make sure that you have other, less selective, schools on your list as well just in case Brown doesn’t work out. Don’t obsess on it.
I would take a couple of practice ACTs and see how you do. If you are scoring 32 or above I think it makes sense to take the ACT in Sept.</p>
<p>Thanks. I do need to work on finding more safety schools. I have two so far. </p>
<p>That makes sense. I was just afraid to waste one of my practice ACTs. >.> but I’d rather not go through a whole workbook if I’ll do just fine on it anyway.</p>
<p>I’d appreciate any more opinions. I can’t find a list of average subject test scores for Brown anywhere. Does anyone have a general idea?</p>
<p>Personally, I’m an ACT advocate. I would definitely go through at least one or two practice tests. </p>
<p>Seeing as you’re worried about Bio, focus on your science score if you plan to take it; the section is really just looking at charts and graphs and stuff, and I found it rather easy. It’s not particularly difficult to get a 36 on the section if you have strong analytical reasoning ability. Like you, I got a ‘low’ score on the Bio II, 710, but ended up with a perfect score on science with no prep(unless you count one practice test a year before the actual test). </p>
<p>ACT dates tend to be on different days than the Collegeboard ones anyway, so if you have enough time I wouldn’t rule out just doing both. You probably have plenty of time to study over the summer… I know plenty of people at my school who cram all their studying in just a week for the IIs and pull off 750-800. </p>
<p>As for average Brown scores, I’d imagine 750+ for STEM-oriented majors, down to the lower 700s for others(U.S. History, for instance, is considered difficult - it would be acceptable to have, say, 730, whereas a 730 in Math II likely would not be enough).</p>
<p>I’d take the ACT and if you get a low score send the others. I wish I’d only taken the ACT and not bothered with the mess that is SAT and SAT II. As it is, I have only taken SAT (twice) and SAT IIs (five) and I decided to screw taking the ACT because my other scores are fine thank.you.very.much. but they’re not as good as I could have gotten on the ACT if I had taken that on 4 different dates.
If you can stomach it, and are set on this school, take the extra test.</p>
<p>everlastingwish-
I’ve heard that ACT science is laughably easy but also that students are pressed for time on it…I’m taking a practice test Monday anyway so we’ll see how it goes. About bio, I studied for two weeks with Princeton Review to end up with the score I have. I just couldn’t sleep the night before, or at least I think that’s what tripped me up. Cramming is never really an option for me.</p>
<p>I’m looking at majoring in cognitive science or philosophy (philosophy is a bigger possibility if I get PLME.)</p>
<p>nthpower- Thanks. I agree. It won’t hurt to take it as long as I study for SAT, also. I’m sure I will get a 2300+ in October if I keep studying.</p>
<p>I got a 30 composite on my Princeton review online test.
I’m not too happy but I’m not shocked either.
32 English, 35 math (I was surprised with how easy and straightforward it was compared to SAT.) 30 Reading, 25 science (yikes) and IDK what to do about my essay. I’m sure it was fine, but is anyone willing to score it?</p>
<p>I think I just need to practice. The length of the reading passages really caught me off guard. SAT CR is definitely easier. And idk what the hell happened with science. How are you supposed to study for the science section? </p>
<p>Is it still worth pursuing this, or should I just retake reasoning, submit my 690 in bio to brown, and retake subject tests in November and hope that they get my better bio & chem scores in time for ED?</p>
<p>Just study now and take a couple of SAT IIs in Oct. You can submit your top two. Tell your ED school that you sat for the Subject Matter test in Oct and that it will be sent to them bc you listed that school for a report. They will look at your entire application. If they see something they really like, they are not going to reject you just because they are waiting on another Subject Matter test. (The 690 is not going to kill you).</p>
<p>I have to take reasoning again in October… ED will definitely get my october scores.
It’s the November that they’re not guaranteed to receive on time to evaluate me.</p>
<p>yeah im in the somewhat same boat…my SAT is 1940, and my subject tests are 770 on MathII and 650 on Physics. im not retaking either and im going tosubmit them and my ACT that im taking in sept. the ACT i currently have is 30, but i want a higher score. </p>
<p>i just realized that what i said isn’t exactly relevant to your post. lol but okay here:</p>
<p>75% of the population is better suited for the SAT, and 25% of the population is better suited for the ACT. i worked my ass off for 4 years studying SAT and only got a 1940. i took the ACT once without studying and got a 30. so what im trying to say is that you should take a real practice test for the ACT, and see what you get. you can look up tables to see how scores between SAT and ACT compare, but if you’re lucky, you’re one of the 25% better suited for the ACT and you might get 32+. just my opinion. :P</p>
<p>I just took a real practice test. I wish I could edit my first post. I got a 30 on a practice test and now I don’t reallly want to take ACT any more but I don’t want my top choice to see my 690 bio.</p>
<p>ugh.
I give up, I’m going to study everything.
Do you guys have any tips on the reading and science parts in particular? And does anyone want to grade my essay?</p>
I do need to work on finding more safety schools. I have two so far. </p>