@ConcernedRabbit It’s me and one other person this year.
@Anthor I am looking to apply at University of South Carolina or Clemson University I am from South Carolina.
Here’s what I did. I got an ACT prep book, and I went through it, doing every problem, and 12+ practice test. I started with a score of 30 on my first time, ending with a score of 36 the last time I took it. That’s a six point improvement. Now, imagine what schools you would be looking at with a 22 vs a 28. My advice? Buy a book and start studying like crazy. Get that score up. You can do it, and you will be in a much better position. And please, don’t listen to the counselors that tell you that is enough and you should stop trying. That is your decision.
If you truly think that is the best you can do, and you are happy with that score, than I’m happy for you. But if you want to do better, than you should study and continue to try, and not listen to your counselor. Good luck!
@jmek15 I am going to try and take the SAT if I don’t do well on this act but I can’t until the next test date. I am planning on going into nursing either at Newberry College which a lot of our students have been accepted to in the past or two colleges I want to attend which are Clemson and the University of SC. We’ve had students go to USC before but I’m not sure about Clemson.
@ivvcsf I am from South Carolina.
Definitely do ACT or SAT preparation before you retake either test. Preparation classes can help a lot. Individual tutoring can also help a lot.
Where I live there are SAT preparation classes at the local community center which are very reasonably priced. Many high schools also offer them.
There are also SAT tutors. One center near us is very small – I think probably a total of 3 employees. They give you a practice test or they can look at the results of the actual test that you already took. Then they look at how you did in specific sections and on specific questions and they can focus in on exactly where you need the most help. The entire experience was very pleasant and very helpful from our perspective.
@Sybylla and @iwannabe_Brown It’s a private Christian school and were in a very very small town in South Carolina so that’s why our school is so small there are a lot of schools with the same curriculum its ACE if youve ever heard of it.
Some people do poorly on the ACT because they’re not used to the time constraints. While some simply preform better on the SAT. I think you should take the SAT and compare how you do. Also if I may ask did you study for the ACT? I’m only asking because when I took my ACT all my friends told me to study because they didn’t and they all did poorly because they felt so rushed. Just because you did badly on one test doesn’t mean you’re not prepared for college. It could just mean you weren’t super prepared for that test and should try again. Don’t feel defeated after your first attempt.
@itsintheprocess no I didn’t study but I wasn’t rushed I finished everything with time left which I knew was a bad sign.
@Deeanna_c I think if you just take the time to study and sit down with a prep book you should be fine. I would really study take the test again and then see where you stand. I can say if I never studied for he ACT I would have probably done poorly.
Your current ACT score is not competitive for Clemson . Nursing is an extremely competitive major at USC and Clemson. You may want to look at other instate options .
Khan Academy has free test prep materials on their site: https://www.khanacademy.org/test-prep
@carolinamom2boys yes I know that’s why I want to get my scores up when I take it again. But another girl from my school got into USC nursing with a 21 Act score. That was only about two years ago.
@Springbird yes I have been using Khan Academy it’s really helpful but thank you anyway.
Admissions to Clemson and USC have gotten more competitive over the past 2 years. Work hard to get your scores up , but investigate other options just in case.
You may want to look at USC Upstate and Lander University. Both have nursing programs, and may be a little easier to get into. As carolinamom2boys pointed out, admission to both Clemson and USC has become very competitive.
College of Charleston is test optional, I think, meaning you’d be evaluated on the strength of your transcript and essays; don’t forget USC Aiken. Perhaps look at options in North Carolina, they have lots and lots of colleges.
You should really consider studying for the ACT and taking it again. With an ACT score of 24 you would be eligible for a South Carolina Life scholarship.
@MYOS1634 C of Charleston doesn’t have a nursing program. Also I don’t want to apply out of state it’s too expensive.
I was at a similar <100 person school until Junior Year. I would also recommend studying a ton and taking the ACT again.
FWIW, my friend and I had similar grades up until 11th grade, but I had a 35 ACT whereas she scored in the low 20s first try. After working with a tutor for a few months, she took it again and scored a 32. Aptitude for standardized testing depends on the student and doesn’t always correlate with grades, but I think if you have the work ethic to study and prep for school then you should be able to get that ACT up for sure.