has anyone ever gotten accepted into a college even though there ACT score was low? if you have, please share.
What do you consider low and what schools are you intetested in applying?
It all depends on the schools you are looking at.
What colleges? What GPA? What score?
Most colleges have an admission requirement page. You should find that page in the college you are interested in attending. Most colleges will have a disclaimer that simply meeting the minimum requirements is no guarantee of being accepted. That being said, colleges really do like to look at the whole person. One of my friends’ son got accepted into a university he was told he had no hope of being accepted into. He had the GPA but didn’t do that well on the ACT or the SAT. But this kid could sing. He applied, went for audition and was accepted. He’s in the second year of his music major.
I have another friend whose son did miserably on the reading portion of the SAT but absolutely excelled in math. He was accepted into his first choice school.
My son got accepted into every school he applied to with just barely meeting the minimum requirement for math in one of his school and was one and two points below the minimum math requirement for the other two.
You just never know. Most colleges make exceptions for talented students: athletes, visual artists, music people and even writers. You should make every effort to showcase your strengths and passions. Best of luck.
my ACT score was a 13. i was trying to apply for colleges in Maryland but i don’t know if i can take the act AGAIN CAUSE I TOOK IT AT THE LAST MINUTE. i know y’all all think i wont make it into 4 year college.
my gpa is a 3.75
What grade are you in? Have you tried the SAT? Have you done practice tests on the ACT? Used any prep books?
im in 12th
It’s kind of late if you’re a senior. Haven’t you submitted all of your apps by now?
You won’t get into any four-year college? I think no such thing. But you will have to raise that score. If you haven’t taken the SAT then you should. You need to figure out which test best fit you. Honestly, if everyone was given all the time they needed to complete the ACT or the SAT, everyone would do super well. But it’s not only about what you know, it’s about pacing and strategy. Practice the tests and have another go at them. And really, don’t even think about submitting that score.
How come you decided to take the test last-minute? Did you prepare seriously beforehand, had you slept enough, were you in a “normal” state?
Do you attend a lower-performing school? (What’s your school’s average ACT score?)
With a 3.75 GPA, you may be better off applying to test-optional colleges; most of these colleges will ask you to submit an essay or two instead of a test score. However, the deadlines would be fast approaching.
The following colleges use the CommonApp, have deadlines after March 1st, are within reach of a 3.75, and are test optional (meaning that you do NOT need to send your ACT score):
Agnes Scott (very good school)
Albright
Augustana
Baldwin Wallace
Burlington
Cabrini
Chatham
Colby-Sawyer
Daemen
Elizabethtown
Flagler
Georgia Gwinnett
Guilford
Gustavus Adolphus (very good school)
Hartwick
Hofstra
Lebanon Valley
Lees McRae
Lycoming
Lynn
Manhattanville
Mercyhurst
SUNY Potsdam
Susquehanna University (friendly!)
University of Maine at Farmington
University of Maine at Presqu’Ile
Washington&Jefferson
University of Minnesota, Morris
University of Cincinnati- Blue Ash
Wittenberg
Please use this list, which took me quite a while to compile.
All of these are good, reputable colleges that will admit you based on your coursework and GPA, without your ACT.
cant i do the test option where i don’t have to send my score
For colleges that require test scores, you have to either send your ACT score or otherwise retake SAT/ACT. Check each college’s website regarding standardized test requirements.
@bishopgurl The answer to your question is right above you (post #11)
The list in #11 is a list of colleges where they won’t ask for your score, and that still accept applications.
The other colleges will ask for your score but aren’t accessible since you need 21-24 to be “college-ready” and anything below 17 is a red flag - sending your score would mean an immediate deny.
@bishopgurl, it was very sweet of myos1634 to compose this list. I am touched by her kind heart. However, why limit yourself? Some of the schools in the list are private schools and the cost to attend will be much higher than public universities. Why not just retake the test? Yes, your application will be late. Maybe so late that you won’t be admitted to Fall term. Maybe it will be Spring of 2016. A delay of, what? Five months? I think the best course of action for you at this point is to take some time and prep for the test and then retake it. Make the most of those five months by working or volunteering in the field you want to major. And study.
bishopgurl Your ACT score suggests that you will have little success at any of the colleges listed by MYOS. You might get in to one or more of those colleges but you will have a difficult time to stay in and graduate. If that happens you will be in debt with college loans and not obtain a college degree. The people here responding mean well in giving you suggestions where to apply with low ACT score but the harsh truth is students with ACT scores in the bottom 10% do not do well at competitive colleges.
I would suggest that you go to your local community college, do well there and then transfer to a 4 year college. This will help you accomplish your goals without the burden of huge loan debt and build your confidence to complete your 4 year degree.
BTW please post your highest level of math and what grade you received, the average ACT/SAT of your school, your class rank and how similar kids in your class rank did on the ACT/SAT if possible. It will help the responders to assess whether community college might be a better option for you.
If you’re a senior, I just question why you waited this late to decide to retake the ACT or mention that there might be an issue applying to colleges.
^it’s very likely OP attends a low-performing school where there’s little college guidance (if there’s even a college counselor/adviser) and where no one’s advised her to take the test or what it’s like.
Her good GPA indicates she’s capable of good work but she should attend a more supportive environment, preferably with a summer workshop/program to help her bridge what she’s done as of now and what she’s capable of.
I agree with #17: what’s your current math class? what’s the average ACT score at your school (and how kids with your class rank scored)? Are you applying through EOP/HEOP, are you in Upward Bound, Avid, Trio?