<p>As a junior i just took the act for the 1st time and got a 31. I am interested in some of the top tier schools (including a couple ivies) and others such as vanderbilt, emory, and nyu (just some examples)
should i pour time into improving my score and take a lot of practice tests or just take it again and shoot for a 32, but if not, be satisfied with a 31 and focus my energy elsewhere?</p>
<p>I, personally, would say to accept the 31 and move on. Most people here will tell you that it is a little low for the schools you seem to want to go for, but I am split on this. I started with a 31 and built up to a 33, but I don’t think my colleges were all that much more impressed (also I believe I wasted a good deal of time “studying” for it). If you feel you want a higher score, than go for it. If you are okay with your score, than keep it. It really doesn’t matter either way.</p>
<p>stick with the 31
you could go down
and many schools require that you submit all test scores.
the 31 is probably around 97% - which puts you in the running at many top schools.
focus on your gpa and other aspects of your application
just my opinion
p.s. remember at top schools having a strong hook is key - generous legacy, athletics, etc.
better to be an ACT 29-30 with a 3.5 gpa with a strong hook instead of a ACT 34/ SAT 2300/3.9 at many top schools (HYPS etc. which seek hooked applicants.) again, just my opinion
I say stick with the 31 and don’t risk a lower score or spending more time when you could be doing something else to help your applications good luck…</p>
<p>I would say take it again senior year
you’re likely to get smarter
and while some schools “require” you send all scores, they have no way of knowing if you don’t</p>
<p>A score of 31 on the ACT puts in about the top 2-3% give or take.
If a school requires that you submit all scores, then submit all scores and do the right thing so there is no question…
Do whatever you want. Depending on where you are applying, there is probably not much difference on a 31 or 32. Consider going with the 31.</p>
<p>A 31 should be good for the schools you listed. However, it may not be good enough for Harvard and stanford etc. You really need to have a high GPA too. My oldest duaghter has 32 ACT (34 superscore) , 4.43 GPA and ranked #1 at the time of filing application did not even get into Havard and Stanford, but was accepted by comparible colleges. My second daughter has same ACT score, 4.42 GPA, and rank #2, did not even bother to apply those private schools.</p>
<p>I don’t exactly agree with Chen, even though she makes a good point. you have a very good chance, especially if you have a hook at any of the schools you mention, hook is important. I don’t know if that is true at Vanderbilt etc, but hook is what seems to get many people in at so many top schools. Your act 31 ACT is fine - probably better than like the 97% of people taking the test. Even though superscoring does not apparently take place at most top schools - submit all the scores you have to help your application. The key is and always will be the highest composite # - period. The writing basically means nothing. The composite number is what is most important, not the individual sections. Anyway, stay positive, I know someone who just got into Dartmouth with a 29 act and no hook (at least that is what she says), but she was like # 5 out of several hundred with super ecs (started a book club for seniors), so you never know. (She did not take the SAT I, but had right around 700 on her SAT IIs. Top schools, even HYPS, do accept applicants with high 20s/low 30s on the ACT if there are other parts of the application that are outstanding. UPENN Wharton last year accepted the second ranked kid in the senior class at another high school near me last year, also with an ACT 29. So you never can tell what a school will do. Look at the Ed threads at many top schools here and you will see quite a few unhooked applicants getting in with just decent scores and less than perfect grades. But the fact still is, especially these days, better to be a 2000 sat 3.5 gpa with a strong hook instead of a 2400 (36 act) 4.0 and no hook. The fact is that many top schools love their legacy, especially alums that have been generous. It is a huge factor, and if anyone tells you otherwise, I think they are wrong (or just upset that they don’t have that kind of hook). I think You will get accepted to many of the schools you will apply to. If I were you, I would put Vanderbilt and Emory way over NYU. All this, just my opinion. good luck to you!</p>
<p>i had a 32 when I took it sophomore year and I got a 32 as a junior as well. I took it in October of senior year and got a 35. The tests vary in difficulty so I would say if you think you can do better, go for it. Oh, I never studied for them.</p>
<p>Not to hijack but my question is the same one.</p>
<p>I’m an African American male who speaks english as a second language. (I started young, around ~3)</p>
<p>I got a 31 on the ACT (33M 33S 29E 27R) and I plan on applying to Cornell/Brown and the likes. I was wondering if it was worth retaking. I know Cornell super scores so I could realistically bring it up but I would need to go up to 30E and 30R just to get a 32.</p>
<p>Thank in advance for an answer.</p>
<p>Generally speaking a 31 is enough for schools such as Cornell, USC and the likes. However, it may not be enough for schools that are in top 10 (such as Harvard, Princeton, Yale, Stanford, Brown, MIT etc). However, that doesn’t mean you can’t get into Brown or the top 10. Make sure you have high GPA and good essay too.</p>
<p>the razor - stick with the 31 for sure.
also, about superscoring, (especially with the ACT), it seems that no matter what most schools say, the key is and always will be the composite score.<br>
stick with the 31.</p>
<p>I got into Brown with a 31… A 31 is a great score. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.</p>
<p>Okay then I think I’ll keep Thank you for the advice. I’ll post a chance thread soon enough but I have ~3.85UW GPA and lots of engineering related ECs (which is what I hope to major in).</p>
<p>therazor we have pretty similar stats
i have about a 3.85 uw gpa and english is also my 2nd language</p>
<p>thanks for the advice guys- i think i am going to take it again senior year if i have time, but not worry too much about it and just keep working hard and doing interesting things</p>
<p>Honestly? Retake it. Schools take the highest ACT composite, or they super score, no schools I’ve ever looked at made me submit all my scores.</p>
<p>You tend to go up, ESPECIALLY since you’re still in your junior year, I went from a 31 to a 33 and it made a load of difference.</p>
<p>Most schools don’t superscore the ACT - they just use the highest composite #.
Superscoring is much more common with the SAT.
Many schools require that you self report all scores.
31 is a good #. Think about sticking with it.
It gives you a shot at many schools.
A kid at my school - top 15%, no hook, just got in ED at Bucknell in PA. with a 29 ACT, and 720 on each of her SAT IIs.<br>
Good luck.</p>
<p>Many students with 36’s on their ACT, or triple-800’s on their SAT are rejected from top colleges every year. A top score does not guarantee admission – it’s just one component of your total package. That being said, a top score may give your application a second look, or it may put your application into a “first look” pile. As a junior, mid-way through the year, you have the luxury of time and preparation. Rather than take the ACT again, have you considered taking the SAT? Some students score higher on different tests – you may be one of them!</p>
<p>I got a 31 on the first try, and got a 33 on the second time without studying at all.</p>
<p>I’d say at least take it twice. Sometimes you can improve by just being familiar with the settings.</p>
<p>@swim2 –
“I got into Brown with a 31”</p>
<p>I sw in this thread references to ‘hooks’ which are needed for the Ivies. Did you have a hook in addition to your 31?</p>
<p>I’m gonna agree with the other 3 people who (like me) went from 31 to 33. Take again, maybe twice more, and be happy with what you get. You’ll have to prep a little more though, just to be ready because when you get into the thirties you run out of room for error. Oh, and be sure you take the writing if you haven’t. I messed up and didn’t until the fourth time and had to re-take with a 33. -.-</p>