Years ago, I attended a panel at our high school with a bunch of highly selective college admissions officer. I can’t remember exactly which ones were there that year (I went every year my kids were in high school), but the panel usually had Vassar, Dartmouth, Cornell, Harvard and Yale plus one or two more. One year someone asked just this question. The Vassar AO answered and the others nodded. What she said, was that they don’t blink an eye if some one takes the SAT or ACT three times, but if it was more than that they MIGHT (and she emphasized it was just a might), wonder why you didn’t have something better to do with your Saturday mornings. She said, if the rest of the application doesn’t make you look like a scores obsessed grade grubbing kid, they’d probably ignore it, but if the red flags were there, that might confirm an impression.
For schools that don’t make you send in every test result, there’s no downside except the cost of the test. If there are scholarships on the line, I say go for it for sure.
I’ve read in a number of places that too many tests do not look good, since it indicates that the person is not taking sample tests, meaning that they are not prepping between tests. Basically, one does not want to create the impression that they’re using actual tests as their practice tests, and they do not want an observable plateau. Different people have different numbers, but I do not think that three or even four would be a problem, unless there is no real actual increase between two, three, and four.
So if you think that her June test will demonstrate an improvement, taking it would probably be a good idea.
Has she learned more advanced math, language, and science concepts since her last test? If she has learned material that is part of the ACT since her last test, there would be a good chance that she will improve her scores, even with only a month additional prep.
On the other hand, if you do not think that she will improve her scores, it may be a better idea to wait and put more effort into prepping for Sep.
If you decide to test further, I’d personally go with Sept. Take that time to prep, be serious about it. June maybe feels like a potshot. Common wisdom is how kids grow between Jr spring and Sr fall.
But don’t miss the rest of what it takes. The ECs sound good, , but see, you are giving categories, not what she actually does. You don’t have to tell us, but do need to guage the impact. Eg, DC is participating in a march or actually working with committees and people? Other comm svc is committed, with the needy, or just hours via a club or ?
Not so much for any oos that focuses on stats, but top 25/Duke.
I would also not take the June test and just spent the summer studying hard for the Sept test.
Word of caution - some schools put all standardized tests on students’ official transcript report so even if you aren’t self reporting, schools could still see them on the transcript.
And plan how to use this summer wisely, beyond prep. Fine tune or fill in blanks. If you haven’t yet looked at the Common App/supps or UC app, do it, to get an idea of what it asks.
I would keep it to no more than 3 tests. I fought my husband on this issue; I believe my daughter’s time was better spent working on her personal statement and other application essays.
@lookingforward “And plan how to use this summer wisely, beyond prep.”
She’s going to do her best this summer to get it all in. She will be taking Physics (UCLA), Start her 4th year of foreign language, prep for ACT and work a part-time job. In addition, she will find out today if she made the academic decathlon team (might be some prep over summer?) and will continue to research colleges and start drafting college app essays. etc… She will be busy…as always…
I feel as though this generation of kids has been over-scheduled since preschool?!
For high school, I don’t see it as “overscheduled.” I see it as maximizing. I don’t know any scoop on UC, beyonf what I read from them. My perspective is more the top 25.
Rather than taking classes over the summer I recommend working on EC’s that give her career exposure in the field she is interested in. (research or internship) If she takes a college class she has to do well because it will be part of her college transcript. Physics crammed over the summer will be difficult.
Yes it can. Depends upon the school and on the mind set of the Admissions Officer looking at it. Also the harm done can be mitigated by what else is on the resume and the final results.
When you are looking at the most selective schools of all, every little thing can matter because the AO is looking for reasons to deny with all those applications from stellar students. Even those with perfect numbers get denied simply because there are other things the college wants that fills the spots. A coveted recruited swimmer, for example, can take the test a dozen times and no one is going to blink at it. His end result doesn’t have to be sterling either He can have a fee Bs on the transcript too. When it comes down to the pure academic admits, there are too many to admit them all.
No, not at most schools. They don’t care how many times you take the tests. The higher the result, the happier they will be as they are looking to boost their scirevrsnge.
Yow, Cpt’s post 32 says it. “Looking for reasons to deny.” This isn’t like some sadistic teacher, but a factor of the competition.
I tend to agree that the summer plans may be very busy, but what’s the qualitative, what impact? A lot of your direction does depend on what those oos publics are, whether they’re highly competitive holistics or admit more based on stats.
Physics may fill a course need but since you said a non-stem major, UCLA may be mighty tough and adcoms aren’t usually more impressed because it’s a top school vs cc. We don’t know if the job is relevant to her academic interests. But if she’s serious about top 25, she’d benefit from an active strategy that goes beyond prepping for senior fall and the testing.
I don’t know if the schools your D will be applying to require subject tests but make sure to help her develop a timeline with all the deadlines for applying to each school, consideration for honors programs, scholarships, early action, early decision, and regular decision. Spend quality time on those application essays and getting good recommendation letters. Some schools start to schedule interviews in June and throughout the summer before senior year. . Fall of senior year is stressful while also trying to perform academically at a high level. Those first quarter senior grades matter. Test burnout is real and time management is crucial. (along with adequate sleep)
@Gumbymom “Any specific reason she is taking Physics at UCLA vs. at the local community college?”
Because my D wants to spend my money? Ha! Seriously though, many kids from her high school take it at UCLA and scored A’s (even though a college class its relatively easy) and she is carpooling with several kids from her school. Just as background, their high school AP Physics teacher is apparently horrible so no one wants to take her class.
D wants to have 4 years of a science and “free up” her schedule senior year for AP Calc A/B, AP Stats, AP Government, AP Lit, Student Government, Spanish 4, and hot off the presses, just made the academic decathlon which is a lot of work senior year. She’s not a “spiky” kid, just well-rounded and doing a great job in whatever endeavor she does. Hopefully her LORs, essays and applications are going to be enough?
@raclut Yep, she is taking 2 SAT subject tests tomorrow and 1 other one later this summer.
@cptofthehouse re: the concept “looking for reasons to deny”, I have heard that same thought come from our private counselor (who was an adcom for three years at H), she wants a “clean” application (i.e. don’t give them an easy reason to deny). For example, if most applicants have at least 4 years of a foreign language, don’t only have 3 years, etc. This is not to say that other factors are not just as important as @lookingforward has told us time and time again, thank you by the way.
Your private counselor would be able to provide specific advice as it pertains to your daughter as they have a more complete picture of her strengths and weakness as an applicant. What does the counselor recommend as far as taking the ACT exam? I would follow his/her advice since she is being paid to properly guide you through the college application process.
@lookingforward “If you’re paying for this resource- and presumably trust him/her, because I’ll bet it’s not free- I’m curious why you’re seeking our opinion.”
First off, I didn’t ask our counselor about my OP question. Frankly, she’s expensive so we use her sparingly.
Also, I like the collective wisdom of this site and different perspectives. No one person has all the answers and each person has their faults. As i mentioned before, I like your take on things as you focus on some of the important aspects of the application that is not just stats.