I’m applying to Barnard early decision this fall. I’m really disappointed in my recent ACT results, as I felt that the composite-centric ACT would be a better addition to my college apps than my all over the place SAT, but alas, no dice. I scored my second 30 (36R/34W/28S/24M), which falls solidly at the average for Barnard (a 30 as well, and they don’t list section score averages). However, this is objectively worse than my SAT composite (2100), which falls above Barnard’s 50% percentile. This being said, my section scores tell a more nuanced story. My reading and writing (780R, 760W) are well above their 75%, but I have been told that my sub-600 math (550, to be exact–a result of block scheduling, lack of $$$ for prep classes, and the format change leaving me only able to take the “old SAT” once having not taken a math class for a little under a year) will make me a difficult candidate at any top-25 school. As a person who’s been working at going to a top-tier school for her entire young life, I bemoan my decision to focus on the GPA and ECs that I’m passionate about when I guess I should have been drilling for some arbitrary tests. Anyway, I’d appreciate any advice and hope that a similar situation does not befall any of you.
I might be able to take the ACT again if I can scrounge up the money, but obviously not before the ED deadline. Would this be advisable if I could make some time to study math between now and then? I feel like I’m just wasting money I don’t have on these endless tests.
I also got 800s on both my subject tests (literature and US history) and 5’s on the four AP tests I’ve taken so far, if that provides any context. As you can plainly see, I’m a rather lopsided candidate.
Can see I posted at a weird time in the AM. Bump please.
Your SAT composite is a very good score. While your math score isn’t great, it doesn’t sound like you are going to pursue STEM. Your CR, W, and Subject Tests are extremely impressive. I would forget about the ACT (if you’ve tried it twice and gotten the same result, a third try is not likely to be meaningfully different) and focus on other aspects of your application.
Barnard practices holistic review. There is evidence from your record that you are a strong writer with a good command of the English language, so demonstrate those qualities in your essay.
A question, though, it sounds like you didn’t have a math class during one year of high school. Is that a problem with respect to minimum coursework requirements for Barnard and other schools of like caliber?
Good luck!
Thank you so much for your well thought out response @mamaedefamilia! You are completely right in your assumption that I am not planning on pursuing any career in STEM 
However, I have actually taken a math class every year of high school and plan to take AP Statistics in the Spring, it just fell that I had a math class in the fall (1st semester) of my sophomore year and the spring (2nd semester) of my junior year (granted, I may have been a bit dramatic with my analysis of a year from math class to math class–it’s more like a bit less than a school year).
Sounds like you’re all set! Good luck!
@mamaedefamilia Thanks so much for your help!
bumpity bump bump
Yeah, you’re SAT is a good score, so I’d just submit that. Your math score shouldn’t matter too much if you don’t plan to major in STEM. Honestly, if your essays are really good, your SAT scores shouldn’t matter too much since they’re still fairly good. If it’s possible, you might want to take the ACT again, and study solely for the math section, because if you can raise that score, your overall score would go up a lot.
Thanks so much, @sfrig01! Best of luck on your Stanford app (I’m no ad com but you seem like a shoe-in)!
Halp
I will do my best to answer back!
set to the tune of LMM’s Hamilton HELPLESSSSS
Insufferable I know, but desperate all the same
My D has a similar lopsided ACT 30C, with a 36R, 31W, 27S, 26M. She is not pursuing a STEM major either. I could see that an adcom would like the 36, but the ACT is broken down in the common data set (though most people don’t look that deeply, but just at the 25% to 75% range).
Anyone else had a similar split, and how did it work out for admission?
@PetulaClark Where is she looking?
I would submit both since your act English and reading scores are very impressive. They’ll get it, you’re not trying to be a math major.
@socalmom007 You’re saying it’s worth submitting both ACT and SAT? I feel like it would show a sustained lack of improvement rather than just two SATs in a short period of time from which they could draw their own conclusions, but I’d love to hear your reasoning and I appreciate the advice.
You still got a 36 and a 34, what are you wanting to major in?