So I scored a five on apush, and threes on lang and chemistry. Will these low scores seriously cripple me in the admissions process? Could my background possibly help? I come from a not so great school in Alabama. No one here has ever heard of SAT subject tests, no one here had known what the PSAT was until last year when we were randomly encouraged to sign up, I have been told many many times that an ACT score of 25 is excellent, and few of my friends can even name the Ivies beyond Harvard and Yale if that helps to give an idea of where I’m coming from. Will Harvard notice the context of my education and that I did not have the greatest teachers (specifically my Lang teacher, we played cards in her class almost every day) or will this be overlooked?
Supposedly, it shouldn’t matter. AP scores go to the registrar, not admissions, and are used primarily for student placement. That being said, I would not self-report the scores on your application. No matter claims to the contrary, I can’t help but think relatively lower AP scores, if self-reported wouldn’t influence admissions officers and not in a good way.
What was your SAT or ACT?
I have a 31 ACT. I am retaking next Saturday though.
That’s the 25th percentile score for harvard, if I recall correctly. That means that 75% of successful applicants to Harvard had a higher ACT score. It would be very helpful to raise that score.
I made a 24 on math when I took it, so I have been studying immensely that raise that score along with practicing the others as well. I even have a tutor for math. And I have taken a few practice tests, making 33, 33, 34 on them. So I’m expecting my score to increase.
If I recall correctly, 34 is median. With a 34, if the rest of your application is extraordinary, you will have a competitive chance.