<p>I'm planning on applying to very selective schools ( U of Chicago, Georgetown, Swarthmore, Brown) my senior year of high school. My freshman and sophomore years were not perfect academically, but my weighted GPA was around a 4.3. I have been heavily involved with two EC's since freshman year, and will join 2-3 more clubs in my junior year, and possibly a sport.
I will take three APs junior year, and seven my senior year, and I will be taking online classes after school. My GPA will rise my junior year, and I am willing to take the ACT every time it is offered my junior year until my 28 is above a 32. Would I be a good candidate for early action, or do you think that an added semester of good grades would strengthen my application?
I would like to apply EA to my top schools, but am unsure if that is a wise decision for a less-than-perfect student.</p>
<p>I don’t think the added semester would make much of a difference in regards to your grades, so if you’re happy with your test scores then I think Early Action would be great for you.</p>
<p>I don’t know what your 4.3 weighted GPA represents. If that is on a 5.0 scale, then you would definitely want three good semesters on your application and should NOT apply EA.</p>
<p>I would also encourage you to not worry about the quantity of ACT tests you take. Rather, pick a date mid-year that offers the opportunity for you to buy your test booklet (I think November). Study like crazy before that test and then review your answers. You can then sign up for a second test at the end of the year and study like crazy again, emphasizing the areas in which you struggled on the earlier test.</p>
<p>My GPA is on a four point scale, but a quality point is added for honors classes and two points are added for APs. My unweighted GPA is in the 3.75 to 3.8 range, and will rise in my junior year.
I’m planning on studying a lot before the October test date, and then retaking as many times as necessary until my score is where I want it.</p>
<p>Any one else like to weigh in?</p>
<p>georgetown doesnt let you apply ED anywhere (Brown) and apply to them. But, if you take out either Brown or Gtown, the plan is fine</p>
<p>“and will join 2-3 more clubs in my junior year, and possibly a sport.”</p>
<p>You already have two solid ECs, right? Then don’t waste your time resume padding with random clubs and a sport. It’s quality, not quantity, that matters for your ECs. Use the time you save by not joining these activities to 1) raise your test scores and 2) raise your participation level in your current ECs to another level. Do something interesting and creative with your existing ECs. If you have time left over and really want to join another club or try a new sport, then fine, do one - but you don’t ‘need’ more clubs and a sport to enhance your attractiveness as a candidate.</p>
<p>3 times is generally the limit for the number of times you should take the act, then it may hurt you, any additional retakes</p>
<p>Why is that? Wouldn’t a college prefer a candidate with a 34 to a 30, even if the former had taken it five times and the latter three?</p>
<p>(PS, I took it once as a sophomore and once as a seventh grader for a gifted program- should I count my seventh grade year when factoring in how many times I’ve taken it?)</p>
<p>no dont count 7th grade. Truthfully, it looks like a waste of time to them. Why is this kid spending all their time obsessing about only one part of their app? Why not spend those saturdays doing something more productive. But if you get a 30 on the third try, and then a 34 on the fourth, i think it’s worth it. Just make sure if you take it more than 3 times, u will make a big enough jump to show it was worthwhile.</p>
<p>Taking a standardized test more than three times is generally considered gaming it. It’s no longer testing knowledge or logic but how much you remember the style or how much you skewed your practice.</p>
<p>What is your your rank? Your GPA sounds high enough that it shouldn’t stop you from applying EA to schools you are interested in, unless your HS has serious grade inflation and hence your rank isn’t good.</p>
<p>I think Georgetown is Single Choice Early Action, so you couldn’t apply EA to Georgetown and to the other schools on your list, I think. </p>
<p>You should also look for some less selective schools with EA or rolling admissions to apply to (as well as less selective schools for the regular decision round as well).</p>
<p>I’m planning on applying to Bryn Mawr early, because of their rolling admissions. And I’m the eight in my class of 400-ish I think, but as I take APs that will most likely improve. I’ll probably graduate in the top five.</p>
<p>Bryn Mawr has Early Decision, which is binding. It doesn’t have rolling admissions.</p>