<p>I got a 35 my first go at it; 33 English, 35 Math, 36 Reading, and 36 Science. But I got an 8 on my essay. If I apply to the top universities (Harvard, Princeton, Yale, etc.), will any of them care enough about my unimpressive essay score for it to hinder me? Should I take it again in hopes of getting a higher essay score?</p>
<p>Do not retake it. You will seem desperate. Keep your 35; it’s amazing!</p>
<p>I’ve certainly never heard of anyone seeming “desperate” for taking the ACT multiple times. And I haven’t sent in my scores to any colleges yet.</p>
<p>If colleges see you retaking after getting a near-perfect score on you ACT, they will think you a point-grubber who is seeming “desperate” (gasp! I used the word again!). The difference between scores is so trivial that one more wrong question may drop you down a point or more, and so retaking it will have been for nothing. Essay scores are barely looked at anyway, and an essay score of 8 is not bad by any means. IT WILL NOT HINDER YOU. </p>
<p>You asked for my opinion, and there it is.</p>
<p>I disagree. I think that it won’t hurt to take it one more time, and it certainly won’t seem desperate.</p>
<p>it wouldn’t really affect your outcome at the top schools, but it’s worth a try, unless you have other major things to work on (GPA, EC’s, etc).</p>
<p>I am 7th grader taking the ACT test soon. Does anyone have any suggestions/tips for me? This is my first time and I’m trying to get into the duke tip program. Thanks :)</p>
<p>My sister is in that program, and she took it as a 7th grader too. She took two practice tests just to get a feel for the test, and she got a 27. So maybe just do something like that.</p>
<p>I would take it again; two tries can’t hurt, and you have a good chance of bumping your essay score up by a few points!</p>
<p>Thank you Cbatarseh:)</p>