Fourth times the charm? (re-take ACT)

Colleges & Universities A-Z Columbia University
1

<p>So anyways, I am applying to Columbia University ED (Columbia College) and I would like some opinions about whether I should take the ACT a fourth time. On the Columbia website it says that we recommend candidates to take the ACT no more than two times, but we do not penalize candidates that exceed that limit. Columbia only takes the highest score, but they do not have score choice, so they would know I took it four times. My three composite scores are 29, 30 (with the flu) and 32 (September 2009 ACT). My two SAT Subject test scores are 770 US History, 710 Bio E, and hopefully 800 or near 800 on Math 2 (October test). The rest of my stats are below:
Freshman Year:
5 classes total/2 Honors
First Semester: 1 B (English Honors)
Second Semester: straight A's</p>

<p>Sophomore:
1 AP and Two Honors out of 5 academic classes
I added Human Geo AP as a 2nd semester class
Straight A's both semesters. </p>

<p>Junior:
3 APs and 1 Honors out of 5 academic classes. I also took a Junior college class first semester and self-studied for the AP Comp. Gov. Exam.
First semester: straight A's
Second Semester: 1 B (pre-calc Honors). I missed about 1/3 of my days of school due to illnesses.
I also participated in the science fair, which counts as a class, but I entered the program too late to add it to my schedule. The class is also honors weighted.
9-11 GPA: 4.6-this is horrible.
10-11 GPA: 4.7
Rank: school doesn't rank, but low top 10%. We just give them the school profile. (it just says how many students are in certain GPA ranges). Honestly, the weighting system at our school is sorta stupid. A super easy honors class like English 1 Honors is weighted the same as Physics C AP which is super hard. </p>

<p>Senior Year:
AP Calc BC
AP English Lit.
AP Physics C
AP Environmental Science
AP Government/AP Econ (1 class)</p>

<p>SAT: Will not take
ACT: 32 (third try) and so is this.
SAT Subject: 770 US History 710 Bio E
AP:
5-Biology
5-European History
5-Comparative Government
5-US History
4-Human Geo
4-English Language</p>

<p>Extracurriculers:
Golf (4 year Varsity Co-Captain; 2007 Co-MVP; I have made the league qualifying tournament every year, but have been eliminated in the first round; My team has made the post-season the last two years, but we have not advanced)
SCPGA Jr. Golf Tour: i have played 4 SCPGA Jr. Golf tour events and plan to play 2-3 more. My best finish is t-16 and I hope to get 1 or 2 top 10 finishes.
Key Club (10-12): I served as recording secretary of my school last year and now hold the #5 position in Key Club International
about 280 community service hours through various clubs, activities, etc.
MUN: two year member (11-12) of MUN. its a class and club. I won an outstanding award at a small conference
Junior State of America (11-12): Co-secretary and regional expansion agent as a junior, co-historian as a senior.
Spanish Honors Society (10-12)
Mu Alpha Theta Math Honors Society (11-12)
Science Team (11-12): I'm currently treasurer. I competed in Ocean Bowl last year (5th at regionals) and was on the non-competitive science bowl team. I plan on doing Ocean Bowl, Science Bowl (competitive team) and science olympiad this year.
Science Fair: participated in my school and the science fair that sends students to the intel regional science fair. My project stunk. I didn't make county, or intel or anything like that. I just did it for fun. :)
Academic Decathlon (12-new club)-appointed Co-President
Speech and Debate team (12)-hoping for an award at a october competition,
Last summer I volunteered at a camp for autistic children, the summer before I went to a week-long golf camp and the summer before I did summer school.
CSF Member since freshman year
High Honor Roll every semester
AP Scholar W/Distinction.
Probably National honors society (12th grade) </p>

<p>Im from CA and 1/4 mexican, but I can only put it as an added ethnicity because I have 0 connection to the mexican culture. I also look very white and have a white last name. I would be a very minor URM</p>

<p>I just want to know how Columbia would view me taking the ACT one more time and if I was to score well (33-34) would they consider my score the same as someone that got that score the second/first time?
Thanks!</p>

2

<p>EDIT: I might take the SAT in November, but that would only count if I got deferred. I doubt I could score about the equivalent of a 32, but its worth a shot. The SAT and I usually don’t get along.</p>

3

<p>I think you should stay with the 32 since the schools realize that the ACT is just one test out of your life and usually gie you a leeway. Like I know for SATIIs, Colleges view anything from about 750 to 800 as the same ability, and something similar to that probably happens for the ACTs</p>

4

<p>A fourth time might not be in your best interest. You’re showing colleges that you need to work so hard to get above a 32 which is not the right signal to send to a school that sees lots of scores higher than that. </p>

<p>In any case, do introduce yourself in the ED applicants’ thread here:</p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/columbia-university/781456-official-early-decision-applicants-thread-columbia-class-2014-a.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/columbia-university/781456-official-early-decision-applicants-thread-columbia-class-2014-a.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

5

<p>What about taking the November SAT? Who knows? i scored a 77 on the PSAT CR. I might be able to score pretty well. I was sorta forced into taking the ACT. (Long story.)
Thanks for the advice!</p>

6

<p>I know it wouldn’t count for ED, but if I get deferred what do u think my chances will b if I do really well (like 2200+)?</p>

7

<p>2200+ isn’t “really well” by Columbia’s standards. A full 25% of their entering class scores over 2300.</p>

8

<p>yeah, but its better than my ACT. I would be above the 50% mark. Right now I am about 45-maybe 50% for their average. If I were to score like 2230 I would be at about 60% which since I am not a true URM (sorta one). it might make a difference.</p>

9

<p>Well personally I don’t think it would make a difference within the deferred applicants’ pool. If you get deferred, it won’t be because of your standardized test scores. And sending in a better score will not significantly help your case either.</p>