I got a 35.25 twice in a row in December and February as a sophomore, and I really wanted a 36, so I retook it in June and got it. Will colleges look down on retaking a 35? I have only taken the test these 3 times (plus once in 7th grade for the Duke Tip).
I was just wondering if you guys think the 36 will help or hurt my future application.
Thanks
Yes! It may hurt your applications. The schools would think you’re a perfectionist.
:-S
You are fine. There is nothing you can do about it now anyway. Submit the 36
ACT lets you delete scores if you want at any time. From their website:
Students own their test scores and may direct ACT to delete their scores for a particular test date from our records. (Note: Students may not delete scores used to document participation in State and District Testing.)
To delete your scores for a particular test date, you must submit a written request. Provide us with your name and home address, and we will mail you a form to complete and return to us. We will then permanently remove your record for that test date from our files. All scores from that test date will be deleted.
Write to:
ACT Institutional Services
P.O. Box 168
Iowa City, IA 52243-0168
USA
So, if you are concerned the other scores make you look bad, just delete them.
I do not think schools will look down on it at all, but you may want to try this^ if you do not want them. I think the fact that you got a 36!!! is far more important than you taking it 3 times. Three times is a reasonable amount anyways. If I may ask, what did you do to study and prep for the ACT? I will be taking it later and any tips would be great, sorry for asking this on your thread
It is worth wondering about why you over-value the scores on this test?
Many applicants with a 36 are turned down by the top schools.
I really liked the Sparknotes preparation as well as the prepscholar stuff.
I just basically did a bunch of practice tests to improve my speed.
@lostaccount not sure why you think I over-value the score, I was just asking a question…
My D retook it because she didn’t take writing the first time. Could she delete everything from the second time except writing?
Submit the 36 and forget about it.
submit the 36 but please de-emphasize your perfectionist philosophy in the future. unlike SAT/ACT tests, you will not have the time to redo situations in real life. more often than not, a close to perfect but timely effort will be needed. 35.25 was excellent as it is.
I don’t believe you can delete part of a score.
OP, @PetEngineer and @18yrcollegemin seem to have the best answers. 3 times doesn’t seem like a like, especially if one of them is C36. Colleges look at everything, including GPA, ECs, essays, recommendations, etc.
But colleges are a business. Don’t let anyone tell you colleges look at C32, C33, C34, C35, C36 equally.
Statistics drive rankings. College rankings drive money.
There are plenty of colleges who will throw you scholarships just to have that score in their statistics.
Submit that C36 without any guilt.
OP, some readers may think you over value the score because you spent time and money - twice - retaking a test in which you already had a score that would be helpful even at the most selective schools. There is an honest debate about whether a 36 is more helpful than a 35, but the consensus is they are exactly the same for the purpose of college admissions.
@CHD2013 I think it is kind of annoying to see how much hate OP is getting. The OP knew that they could get a 36 and had an accurate grasp on their potential. If I were the OP in their situation I 100% would’ve taken in it again BECAUSE I knew I could do better. It isn’t about how high the score is, it is about maximizing your potential. To say that a 35 and 36 are generally the same is like saying a 93% overall in your classes is the same as 100% in all of your classes. I am not saying that I will retake the ACT till I get a 36, I would be happy with a 33/34, but respect the OP’s decision.
@PetEngineer - First of all, I didn’t say that a 25 and a 36 are the same. However, many smart, informed people believe there is no practical difference between the two scores when it comes to college admissions. The idea is that a 35 is so high, that applicants have maxed out on benefits from that test with that score.
Your analogy doesn’t work at all. There is obviously a large difference between 93% and 100% and those differences would be a factor in college admissions.
Finally, the OP was specifically looking for feedback on this particular issue. There’s a very big difference between providing a respectful, honest answer to a question and “hate.”
@CHD2013 Sorry if it appeared that I was focusing my whole response on you, only part of it applied to you. But I am saying that a 93 and 100 both count as an A when it comes to the GPA and doesn’t necessarily increase your chances. Your response wasn’t exhibiting the hate I was talking about, others were. Sorry for the misunderstanding.
I don’t see how a 36 could hurt your application after only taking the exam 3 times, but I do see how it can come off as a bit obsessive. For future reference, I would focus more on what else you can do on your application rather than focus on a small improvement that won’t really carry a long way. In college, there’s no re-dos and you have to accept that the work you put into an assignment is the final grade you’re going to get.
Thanks to everyone for the advice, and mostly kind words!