Is this a ridiculous thought? Am I obsessing too much?

<p>Should I take the test ONE LAST TIME in February? Oh dammit, I'm being so bitter about a stupid 32 which I should be happy about but I feel like I'm just within reach of that 33/34. First time I took ACT last year, was a 32. Next time I didn't prep and had a horrible morning, plus it was just for scholarship purposes and was free. I got a 31. Then I took it in June and was golden in everything except science in which I got a 23. I got a 31 again. Then I took it last month and got a...32! I should be happy but im super bummed. I know that if I hadn't been stupid about one math question or been more careful with reading I could for sure have gotten that 33. So, good or bad idea to take one last time in February (even if I have already sent in 32's to colleges)?</p>

<p>february.... ***? That's pointless. Why not retake in december..</p>

<p>Your colleges won't see February scores unless you get accepted there...in which case you're already accepted! Save yourself the $80.</p>

<p>Why not take it? Its obviously bothering you.</p>

<p>Dec/Jan is usually the latest test date for most colleges. You already took it 4 times so expect to average out.</p>

<p>yes. you're obsessing too much</p>

<p>i agree with tyler. but then u might ask - why r u so crazy?? well, if i can really get a 33, why not give it a shot? unless there is not much of a difference between a 32.25 and a 32.5</p>

<p>I still have no idea why anyone in their right mind would take it in february. If you care enough, just take it in december.</p>

<p>no. i think this is just a temporary spurt of nervousness. i thought that colleges take february as last date. if not, wtvr, i no realize that i shouldnt take it anyways. 32 is still an amazing score. so...yea.</p>

<p>Take it so that you won't have any regrets later on in life or if you want to transfer colleges after one year.</p>

<p>Depends what you stand to gain by retaking it.</p>

<p>My D retook it in June after she graduated HS - scored the extra point she needed to increase her scholarship by @$3,500 a year. Definitely worth it. She was ticked with me for bugging her to try again at the time but after she went to the scholars meeting at the beginning of school she commented that she wished she'd prepped a bit more because another point would have got her the top award which would have added another $2700 (this apparently came as a surprise to her which proves she had been tuning me out when I was explaining why she should retake it ;))</p>

<p>So if there is a benefit to retaking it then why not?</p>

<p>howzabout this:
1) I check with colleges what their final test date is and how they view scores
2) If I still feel I need to take it, I'll take a practice test and see how I do
3) If I really see that I can get that 33/34, then I will def take</p>

<p>^my best friend got a 32...he's a bit bothered by it (because he scored higher earlier) but I'll tell you what I told him...its still in the 99th percentile. </p>

<p>Keep in mind that what I'm about to say is just based on questions I asked at college fairs so its certainly not going to be true wherever you go...I can't remember if this was BU or Wustl....anyways
In my opinion, having that 3- on there at all is fantastic. I think that is the first major "hump" colleges look for. Then, I think after that they go more by percentile...30 and 31 are about in the 97th percentile...so they look at that as great. 32-35 are all in the 99th percentile, so unless it is really truly cutthroat and that is the only difference in your applications, they probably won't put too much weight on the differences. And even if you are up against someone with a 35, if you got a 32 but your essay is better...the acceptance letter is likely going to you. </p>

<p>ACT scores, IMO, aren't as big of a factor as people think...yes, you want to be high...but you already are, you are in the 99th percentile, so congratulations! </p>

<p>My advice would be to not take it again and focus on kick butt essays and any other thing you can do to make your application really stand out.</p>

<p>However, if this is really bothering you, then you could take it again...but I don't think it is necessary. if you do it, consider just doing it for you...but then again, also weigh in whether or not you would rather keep the $80</p>

<p>good luck!</p>

<p>i like what pinksquirrels said!!! thanks a bunch and im definitely goin with that approach!</p>

<p>ps if what you sed about the essay is true then im golden cuz i got a 12. yipee!</p>

<p>pps thanks to all the other responders. ive come to realize that, like most of you have said, once im in the 99th percentile colleges look at other things so i should def work hard to make those other things the best they can be. duh!</p>

<p>I think he meant the college application essay, not the ACT writing part LOL :D</p>

<p>oh yea. haha. well, i still aim to make my college essay the best it can be.</p>