<p>I read that Midwestern Universities prefer the ACT over the SAT. Is that true? </p>
<p>If so, should I go retake the ACT? (The only midwestern college I intend on applying to is WUSTL, which ironically, is my top choice)</p>
<p>My ACT score is:</p>
<p>Composite - 33
English - 35
Math - 36
Reading -34
Science- 28
Essay - 11</p>
<p>Now before everyong starts screaming, I don't need to take it again, let me clarify my reasons. </p>
<p>I intend on applying for the merit scholarships at WUSTL, and since academics is what comes easiest to me, I need to make sure that standardized testing is as high as possible. </p>
<p>I just think that my science section is too low for a school like WUSTL, especially since it's a very science research oriented place, with the med program and all.</p>
<p>wen2hu, how are your SATs? If they are strong, you don't need to worry about the ACT's for WashU. WashU is proud of the fact that it's student body contains some of the highest numbers of National Merit Scholars. They love strong SAT's!</p>
<p>One time testing in October. So there's a correspondence to my ACT scores, except the SAT thankfully doesnt have that horrible Science section xD. </p>
<p>But wouldn't a high ACT improve my chances? Or at least one with science in the 30s</p>
<p>Maybe for the merit scholarships you may want to get your ACT up, but i really think you are fine. I got into washu without taking the SAT and on the ACT they superscored everything. I had a 31 composite, 36 math, 33 english, 31 reading, and 30 science, with a 10 on writing. Now for RD, I know a girl who had the same SAT as you and 32 on the ACT who didn't get in so in that case, try your best on the tests.</p>
<p>Maybe take it again - it can only help. Wash U superscores the ACT - they take the highest of each section, and if you do worse or the same in everything with the ACT you can choose to send only one test. A tip on the science test that has been on CC before - don't read the passages (except the passage where it's just reading). Go straight to the questions and try to answer them just by looking at the diagrams and graphs.</p>
<p>ok, thanks for the advice. one question, if I take it again, and realize that I do indeed want to send them both reports (because I did better on one section the first time or w/e), would I have to pay to send just one report or both?</p>
<p>I guess I'm not following the advice you're being given here. If you got a 2330 on the SAT I don't see any reason for you to retake the ACT. Wash U does NOT have a preference of one over the other. My son took the SAT and got a 2250 and didn't take the ACT and was admitted to Wash U. I don't think your counselor (or the above posters) are giving you sound advice.</p>
<p>Also, as to merit scholarships, I don't believe a 2330 will hamper you in any way. Once you have this high of an SAT score they will be looking at other more intangible factors.</p>
<p>I agree with blackeyedsusan. If you've got a 2330 on your SAT's, stop wasting your time and energy on any more standardized testing!! You've got a perfect 1600 on the math and reading and a 12 on the essay. Your scores are more than enough for ANY SCHOOL.<br>
Wen2hu, you should be focussing now on all the other elements of your application--your grades, your EC's, and how you want to communicate within the applications who you are and what makes you special. All the top schools like to brag about how many perfect 800's they reject as evidence of the value they place on building a class full of vibrant students who are going to contribute to the school's community. Get to work on that!!</p>
<p>Wen2hu - you have received some very good advise from the above posters. Just realize that your SAT scores (as good as they are) are just the first key to the scholarship pool. Most if not all of this pool will have high SAT scores - so now you have to show why you are different or how you will contribute to the WashU community. Your next step is the application - start work on this as early as possible. There are 4 parts to the application process; 1. Stats (SAT & GPA - your SAT qualifies & I assume your GPA is in the same catagory 2. Your ECs (not the number but the quality - your passion and leadership) 3. Essays - show passion, your personality and how you have or will make a difference in your community. 4. Recomendations - Choose them carefully - they have to show you as one of the best ever encountered by the person writing the recomendation.</p>
<p>You have to stand out in all four areas in order to be considered for a finalist invitation. Just remember Stats are only a small part of the decision making process - numbers 2 and 3 are the variables where you either stand out or you don't. having been through the proces successfuly - it takes a bit of work, but the rewards are well worth while. Good luck.</p>
<p>Hmm thank you all. So basically, I don't need to worry about taking the ACT again, since it won't matter with my SAT anyways? (I just keep worrying that 2 high standarized test grades would look a lot better than 1)</p>
<p>Time to stop worrying ... at least about this. ;) They're only going to look at your highest score anyway, so move on and concentrate about other elements of your application.</p>
<p>wen2hu- I would definitely not worry. I would also not bother taking the ACT again.</p>
<p>you're pretty much where I was at the end of Junior year with standardized testing. I also had a 33 on the ACT (also blasted from that lousy science section) and my SATs were similar (800/790/720)... I only sent my SATs to Wash U and doing so DEFINITELY did not put me out of merit contention. On the score front, you're so fine. Just get ready to 1) seriously enjoy this summer, next fall will be insane and 2) write some mean essays on those scholarship apps. </p>
<p>anyway, haha, you seem like youre heading down a path similar to the one I did (for instance, i bet that 730, despite being a good score!, on the writing section bugs you so much youve considered retaking the SAT, right?) so if you have any questions or need anyhting definitely PM me!</p>
<p>both ur scores are good. i dunno if this helps but i got in with a 32 act and 2080 sat (that was NOT a good day for me and after one round i was like i'm done, act it is!)</p>
<p>They will use the best score - they do not care if it is ACT or SAT. It doesn't hurt to take it again, since they will superscore your test. There is a lot of room for you to go up in science, your other scores are great. My daughter scored a 33 composite her first try and only retested because we were told most scholarship recipients score 34-36. She went up the second time from a 33 to a 36 in science and her composite was a 34. It probably did not make a difference, but it certainly did not hurt her.</p>