I got a 34 first time on my ACT and I really want to apply to Cornell ED. I have multiple people in my family that went theri (My father and sister for one) and I was just wondering if that was good enough if your EC’s are a bit, mhm, scarce. There there, but nothing too impressive. So, do you think I should just stick with it or try to raise it.
My Full Scores on the Oct. 2016 were
English 32
Math: 34
Reading 36
Science 35
C: 34.25
I don’t think you need to improve a 34 – it is good enough anywhere. Make sure you maximize the rest of your application to improve your chances.
I also got a 34, and it is not worth the time to retake. With schools like Cornell and the Ivies, the difference between a 34 & 35 is negligable. Focus on strengthening other aspects of your application
@CornellBoundHopefully I assume you are a junior? I was admitted ED in December and I also had a 34 after my one and only test in October 2015. Add the fact that you are a legacy and I think you can assume you’ll have a very, very good chance if you apply ED next November. If you are a junior, you still have a year to boost your ECs - maybe do a cool summer project or an internship. Also you didn’t mention your GPA, but if you keep it above a 3.7 and you’re taking a few AP courses, you are practically a sure thing. Congrats on the ACT. It’s an awesome feeling to know you are done with standardized testing isn’t it? :-*
Yeah it is. You were right in assuming that I am a junior and actually tried to get it higher in December. I didn’t raise it so now I am done I guess. Though I kind of want to take the SAT. My shool doesn’t use a 4.0 scale but just our averages and mine is a 94.7 with the highest level classes AP’s included I can take besides Spanish because I hate languages. And your right, after I got the 34 it was such a relief. Do you think admissions directors weigh you gettings a score with 1 try more than taking it multiple times.
@CornellBoundHopefully I don’t think admission people weigh one score versus three scores any differently. But taking it multiple times has risk. What if you had a 34 on your first try, but when you took it in December it went to 31? That would send a negative message that you got lucky your first time. My advice, forget about the SAT. Your ACT is 99 percentile. Even a 35 is 99 percentile. Aside from a perfect score, what could an SAT possible do for you, unless you like torturing yourself with tests and have nothing better to do on a Saturday. Why don’t you go volunteer at a soup kitchen that day instead? That would resonate a lot more with admissions people than taking another test for no reason whatsoever. We’re being brainwashed with perfection. Cornell doesn’t want perfect, they want dynamic and interesting! Dude you’re a legacy with a 34 ACT!!! Maintain or improve your GPA, and work on your EC involvement and leadership skills instead.
Yes. In my opinion, running the risk of having a bad day and receiving an off score far outweighs any benefit if raising your score.
Focus on subject tests instead, even if not “required”, it gives an edge.
Don’t retake it. A 34 puts you in the 99+% percentile. Your admissions decision will not hinge on the fact that you didn’t get above a 34 on the ACT.
I would get involved in any clubs at your school that relate to the school you are applying to at Cornell.
A math, science or English club perhaps? Perhaps enter a math or science competition or an essay writing competition? Learning a computer language?
Make a plan to use your time effectively this summer too.
Volunteer work is good, but I think that in general something that demonstrates your level of interest in a subject is better.
A 34 is already 75th percentile for matriculated Cornell students.
And no, a higher ACT score will NOT make up for your lack of ECs. A former Cornell adcom, Nelson Urena, did a very helpful Q&A on Reddit (you can google it).
If you are a junior, then you have pretty much a full year left before college apps are due. Plan on getting some more ECs in in areas that interest you.