<p>So I keep getting a 29 on my ACT. That's 3 times now but I have a 31 superscore. Cornell is my dream and I've applied ED. How will this look for CAS? I'm just really frustrated and sad b/c I can't seem to manage to break 30 in a single sitting when I've gotten 33+ English and reading, ~30 math, and 27 science (I suck). At least it'll show I'm consistent right? Will they totally ignore these and just go off the superscore? How does the superscore work? I'm going to keep taking the ACT w/o my parents knowledge b/c I'm stubborn and I'm so close to the 30 mark even if it's May senior year, I'm determined, but I'm just wondering how all these 29s will look. I talked to an adcom in person when they visited Cleveland and he said if you want to be considered for Cornell be at the 29/30 ACT level which I'm at, but obviously I'm at the very bottom of the pool. Otherwise I'm first generation, fluent in Romanian, rank 3/700, blah blah blah. So how do you guys think the 29s will affect my admission? I'm thinking it'll either hurt b/c obviously it's a 29 or "help" since at least I'm consistent. Too bad I don't have enough time to study with 4 APs and a 2-7 job daily. :( Anyways, any input would be great to ease my mind. I've basically come to accept rejection anyways, I can always try to transfer right? Inspirational, true stories about white kids with mediocre scores getting in would be great, lol.</p>
<p>Don’t sweat the test scores. A 29/30 is enough to get you into the pool of seriously considered applicants. SAT/ACT scores are only useful in gauging whether a person is mentally ■■■■■■■■ or not. Especially in the top percentile rankings where scores are differentiated by just one or two missed questions. A 29/30, though on the lower end of the spectrum, still is in Cornell’s range.</p>
<p>Keep in mind that Cornell, unlike most of its peers, assigns a large degree of importance to essays and ‘fit’ in the admissions process. Your decision, whatever it may be, will not be a result of your test scores.</p>
<p>But doesn’t Cornell recalculate composite? So a 31 would be your score… right?</p>
<p>I have a 29 ACT w/ 31 superscore…</p>
<p>^ Me too! I have heard Cornell superscores but I read elsewhere that CAS “looks” at all other scores/sections but doesn’t truly compute a new score.</p>
<p>I saw a site that lists schools that superscore & Cornell was on it. However, I’ve asked several different admissions people at Cornell & they all said they do NOT superscore the ACT. </p>
<p>They DO superscore the SAT. My guess is they superscore the SAT & not the ACT because they report SAT scores, so it’s to Cornell’s benefit if they can report higher SAT scores. Because the ACT doesn’t matter in the formula for calculating rankings , it’s probably not worth their time to superscore.</p>
<p>I wish it weren’t so, but it seems that’s how it is.</p>
<p>Nope, Cornell DOES superscore ACT scores. I asked personally at an info session and it has been answered many times. Generally, they do NOT create new composite scores though.</p>
<p>^I thought superscoring was creating a new composite? How does it work then at Cornell? Will my 29 or 31 be factored into admissions?</p>
<p>They superscore without creating a new composite.</p>
<p>So someone could have like a 30 composite each time, but they’re scores flipped around so that they had like a 32 on each score.</p>
<p>You’d have a 32 for all sections, but still a 30 composite.</p>
<p>Now, does that mean that they’re too dumb to do a little simple math in their head? Certainly not. But the number that will be on the app is your highest composite.</p>
<p>Ok thanks. So they’ll see a 29 composite but with the 31 superscore sections? Like it’ll show 29 composite but 33 reading, 33 English, 30 math, and 27 science? Sorry I’m still a little confused.</p>
<p>Exactly like that</p>
<p>Ok perfect, thanks a lot! Do you know if they place more emphasis on the composite or seeing how high each section was?</p>
<p>My guess is more emphasis on each section. I mean if you’re applying as a science major and got a 22 on Science…</p>
<p>But like I said before. The composite shows up as 29, but since your superscored composite is like a 31 composite.</p>
<p>They will notice that your scores are higher than the composite, and so will really think that your composite is higher than 29. Are they supposed to? Not really. But does it happen? Probably.</p>
<p>ZFanatic - what makes you say they superscore ACT? My sources said they don’t so my son only sent them the ACT with the highest composite score.</p>
<p>The words came straight from the mouth of 3 members of the engineering adcom, in person.</p>
<p>Good enough for me to believe.</p>
<p>^^Agreed!!
Seems like each college has their own policy because CAS, CALS, & Hotel all said they (unfortunately) don’t superscore.</p>
<p>Blah, now I’m confused again, sorry! So does only engineering do it that way or does CAS as well?</p>
<p>I emailed Cornell asking them if they do superscore the ACT. If they do, I have a 32 superscored. I really hope they do!</p>
<p>^I hope so too! lol, let us know when you find out! What school are you applying to? I hope CAS does!</p>
<p>So I guess they do superscore :D:D:D</p>
<p>Thank you for your interest in Cornell University. In reviewing applications, Cornell admissions selection committees use your highest sub scores for the SAT/ACT and SAT II, regardless of how many times you have taken the exam or whether your highest scores come from SAT/ACT exams completed on different dates. Cornell does not participate in score choice–we require all scores be sent to us. We will create the best possible scenario out of your individual scores for consideration for admission.</p>
<p>Best wishes,
The Admissions Staff</p>
<p>^Yay! So I take it that it’s like that for all schools then! <em>sigh of relief.</em> Thanks for the update!</p>