Help: ACT/SAT/SAT Subject Test Dilemma

<p>There are a couple of things that are really bothering me: </p>

<p>Firstly, I took the ACT in March and got a much lower score than I wanted...a 27, and that score got sent to the University of Michigan. I'm retaking the ACT in June and am expecting a significantly higher score, but will my March ACT sent score affect me negatively in any way? </p>

<p>Secondly, I heard just now that it's good to take at least 2 SAT Subject Tests. So far, I haven't taken any. Considering, that there is a month till the last testing date before the next school year and that I haven't take any classes in any of the subjects that the subject tests test on recently what is your advice? Or I should I just retake the SAT on that day instead of the subject tests in case I didn't get good scores on the SAT I took in May (the scores come out May 20th)? </p>

<p>I'm sorry for any ignorance and for the long length of this post. Any advice would be very helpful and greatly appreciated. </p>

<p>Thanks.</p>

<p>You may want to retake your ACT but as long as you have decent EC’s, a 27 is not all bad. But, if you think you can do better, then retake it for sure. As for SAT II’s, I wouldn’t bother for UofM. Some Ivies and others require them, but NO ONE at my school in metro detroit takes them and many get accepted into UofM. But, like I said, if you believe it will strengthen your application, then take them. It’s up to you, because a 27 ACT without SAT II’s certainly does not remove you from the mix.</p>

<p>If I were you, I wouldn’t worry about the SAT II’s as much as the ACT. Try to get the ACT score up, but if you can’t, then so be it. You still have a very good chance depending on your GPA and EC’s.</p>

<p>U of M does not use SAT II grades when reviewing your app so it is pointless to send them. Send them to ivy league/stanford where they actually request it.</p>

<p>Depending on your GPA, which carries more weight, what percentile of your class you are, which also carries weight, your ACT 27 might disadvantage you since it puts you slightly below the 50th percentile of students who are admitted. Assess yourself according to the criteria below, which is posted from the 2009 admitted students profile. Then focus your activity on improving any aspect of your application that you are able for the best results – and be sure to APPLY EARLY!
Good luck.
(Also, if you CAN do well on the SAT subjects and you DO submit them, it CAN help you; but the GPA and main composite score are going to have a little more bearing. If you’re just not great at timed tests but have a high GPA and great recommendations and are in the top 10% of your class, the score will not hurt you. Nor will it hurt you if you achieve a better score and submit it in time for review.)</p>

<p>2009 Freshman Class Profile</p>

<pre><code>* 29,965 Applications

  • 14,970 Admissions
  • 6,079 Enrolled
  • High School GPA:
    o 27% of students with a 4.0 GPA
    o 51% of students with a 3.9 GPA or higher
    o 66% of students with a 3.8 GPA or higher
    o 85% of students with a 3.6 GPA or higher
  • High School Class Ranking
    o 27% in top 1%
    o 77% in top 5%
    o 94% in top 10%
    o 99% in top 20%
  • Middle 50th Percentile of the Admitted Class:
    o ACT Composite of 28–32
    o ACT English of 28–34
    o ACT Math of 27–33
    o ACT Combined English/Writing of 26–31
    o SAT Total of 1940–2190
    o SAT Critical Reading 620–730
    o SAT Math 660–770
    o SAT Writing 630–730
    o HS GPA 3.7-4.0
    </code></pre>