<p>@mnm111 Lots of people take the ACT blind for the first time, though I agree that he probably should have taken a practice ACT instead of the real thing right away. But we can’t dwell in the past. To be honest, I’m actually quite proud that the OP is willing to work so hard to do something with their life. Even if they only ever get their score up to 17, the fact that they put so much energy and passion into their future tells me that they have what it takes to be successful in life.</p>
<p>Yes. Believe it or not, you don’t need to go to a school like WashU to be successful. Get a good GPA in community college and transfer to a 4 year if that’s what you want to do. And like the above poster said, study what you want to study, not what your family wants you to study.</p>
<p>I believe in you OP!</p>