Low standardized test scores, high gpa

Applying to College
1

I am a rising senior who recently got a bad ACT score in comparison to the schools I am looking to apply to (hamilton, colgate, boston university, tufts, university of pittsburgh), major undecided
If I am just under the average ACT score that most people have who got into a particular college had, do my chances significantly decrease? i understand that some colleges super score

I am most likely in the top 10% of my school (estimated bc class ranks haven’t been officially published yet)
Weighted Average is at least a 98
I have taken all advanced classes freshman year, sophomore year, doubled up in sciences junior year (bio and physics), i have played violin for 10 years, did varsity tennis freshman year, coxswain on a crew team f/s/j year, member of tri-m honors society, national honors society, student council (vice president senior year), paid internship at local town hall during summer, volunteer as well.
i’ve taken a full schedule all of high school.

i just feel frustrated because math and science, which are usually my best subjects in school are consistently the lowest scores on these standardized tests (psat, sat, act)

i plan on taking the act in the fall one last time.

1st ACT: 29, writing-26
2nd ACT: 27, writing-23

New sat (1600): 1220

2

There are test optional colleges…maybe look at some of those?

3

@nwcollege I think that you aren’t preparing properly. I recommend that you get a book but either buying it or checking it out from your local library. Princeton and Baron are both good companies and get the most recent book. I do not think you are preparing properly and if you follow the books you can definitely get 30+. Best of Luck!

4

A 29 will make admission to Tufts, Hamilton and Colgate a long shot even with your strong grades. You’ll have more of a chance at BU and Pitt. What is the caliber of your hs? If it is very highly regarded that can give you a boost.
Are you male or female? Being a male gives you better odds at Hamilton

5
  1. I’d try to study hard over the summer and retake standardized test in the fall.
  2. Also look at test optional colleges. http://www.fairtest.org/university/optional/state https://colleges.niche.com/rankings/best-test-optional-colleges/
6

I recommend that you practice for a couple of days a week. Practice all categories, obviously, but focus in on Math and Science. My score increased dramatically because I did so many practice tests and practice problems. The schedule I did was really tight because I procrastinated a lot so I basically ended up doing a practice test a day for over a week to prepare. Spread out the workload.