Do i have a chance with an ACT of 21?

Applying to College
1

<p>I just received my ACT score which is a composite of 21 (English:20 Math:19 Reading:21 Science:23) and i also have a good GPA which is 3.8 out of 4.0 so i wanna know is there any chance of me getting admitted in one of the following universities for undergraduate (engineering).</p>

<p>Michigan state university</p>

<p>Iowa state university</p>

<p>University of Iowa</p>

2

<p>May I suggest you google each schools’ “common data set”</p>

<p>For the 25th percentile ACT Composite:</p>

<p>MSU: 23
Iowa & Univ Iowa: 22</p>

<p>Based on this, your chances aren’t great. Your Math 19 and Sci 23 don’t point to an easy route in Engineering as well. Maybe have an appt with your guid counselor?</p>

3

<p>Score is low for all three of those and very low for engineering, and you might consider retaking. One thing you do need to do if you are an Iowa resident is figure out whether you can meet its minimum index score for admission to University of Iowa or Iowa State. Go to these sites for the method for calculating your Regent Admission Index (it is from Iowa State’s site but applies to both colleges): [Admission</a> Requirements | Iowa State University Admissions](<a href=“http://www.admissions.iastate.edu/freshman/requirements.php]Admission”>http://www.admissions.iastate.edu/freshman/requirements.php) and [Admission</a> to Iowa’s Regent Universities: Regent Admission Index](<a href=“http://www.regents.iowa.gov/RAI/index.html]Admission”>Regent Admission Index | Board of Regents State of Iowa)</p>

4

<p>You need to speak with your guidance counselor about those scores. Do you always have such low scores on standardized exams when compared to your classroom grades? Four typical reasons (there are others of course) for low test scores relative to grades are:

  1. poor exam-taking strategies
  2. exam-induced anxiety
  3. undiagnosed learning disabilities such as processing disorders, dyslexias, etc.
  4. non-native English</p>

<p>Each of those has its own “fix”, so do discuss these results with your counselor, and work out ways that you can improve your scores. Your GPA is very, very good. A better score on the ACT (or SAT if you find out that you do better on that one) will give you more options for college.</p>

5

<p>Your math score doesn’t bode well for engineering. The ACT math is straight forward (not tricky like the SAT), so the fact that you scored so low might suggest that you wouldn’t be able to pass all the high level math required for engineers (Cal I, II, III, Dif Eq I and II and so forth).</p>

<p>you also have to consider cost. You have some OOS publics on your list. Most will not be affordable unless your family will pay all costs. </p>

<p>What state are you in?</p>

<p>What classes have you taken? Any APs? Honors? Chem? Physics? Calculus?</p>