<p>Among the schools I applied to were some hard-to-get-intos (Duke, Vanderbilt, Harvard), and I realized after I sent the applications that I probably should not have self-reported my scores, since I had to confess I took the ACT 5 times. How much better off would I have been if I just left the "Testing" part of the Common App blank? Did I blow it? </p>
<p>For whatever it's worth:
- ACT: 33
- SAT II Math II: 800
- SAT II Physics: 800
- GPA: 3.96 UW
- Homeschooled</p>
<p>I doubt it will matter…</p>
<p>It really depends on what the five scores were. If you were consistently in the 20’s and then jumped to 33, they might think your score was a fluke. But if you made steady progress from 27 to 33 then that would look fine. Colleges realize that homeschool applicants have to put a lot of focus on their standardized test scores to prove their educational ability and therefore won’t look down at someone who takes it a couple more times than average.</p>
<p>Thanks for the feedback! I started at 26 and went up a point or two each time.</p>
<p>(but they only have the highest one)</p>
<p>Where do you really want to go and what do you really want to study? How do finances play into the equation? What do your parents say/think? Look at US News Best Colleges info and school web sites to find out their admission process and selection criteria. I do know a gal that got into all chosen schools except 1 wait-listed (MIT); since had not visited all, went with mom and dad to visit two that were close together and high on her list. Happy with her choice (Cooper Union,the school’s last year where entering students have 4 year no tuition); squeezing in that trip was a bit stressful. Seems you are a pretty good student and very good standardized testing. Good luck.</p>
<p>That’s perfectly fine then. An upward trend is what they like to see. Not some rich kid taking the ACT over and over hoping to get lucky with scores that are all over the place. I wouldn’t worry about it.</p>
<p>Well that’s a relief! But should I send my top few choices (no way I can send them to all of them) all my scores so they can see that? They only have the highest single score right now.</p>
<p>… Should I send them all the scores or no? Would it be worth all that money?</p>
<p>Could I have my Counselor (mom) report the scores? That would save loads of dough.</p>
<p>Update: Got rejected everywhere except my safety school.</p>