With the September ACT less than a week away, stress is building up quickly. I know that there’s no such thing as a “minimum”, but obviously someone with a 28 applying to Yale unhooked and white as snow isn’t going to stand much of a chance. I wondered if someone could give me some sort of “minimum” for the reach schools on my list (don’t be worried, I have state schools I’m applying to that I’m not listing here).
So, I’m white, male, first gen (which might change things slightly, but I know that it’s only minimal help), have great grades (top 1%, 4.0 UW), and don’t have any “extraordinary” extracurriculars or honors–I’ve started a club, have leadership in a handful, and have some “quirky” interests that are expanded on in my other threads. With that being said, what “minimum” do I need for:
Vassar
Wesleyan
Pomona
Swarthmore
UChicago
Yale
Brown
Princeton/Dartmouth are maybes so throw those in there too
Again, I know there’s no minimum, but what score do I need for these schools where my ACT won’t be something that makes me ineligible/give me a chance of less than 5%/whatever. Basically, I’m looking for “31-Princeton, Vassar; 32-Pomona, Wes, Yale; 33-UChicago” or whatever (I know that’s inaccurate, purely an example).
NOTE: I know these schools are impossible to chance! This isn’t a chance thread! It’s more a “tell me what I need to not have my application thrown out before it’s even given a chance” thread. Thank you so much to anyone who leaves a comment, I greatly appreciate it
Look up each school’s average ACT range (most schools give the average 50% range). I would say that if you are below the 25th percentile then it would be exceedingly difficult to get in as an unhooked applicant with nothing that is extraordinary in your application. It goes without saying that being closer to the midpoint or higher end of the range would help your application.
@happy1 @“Erin’s Dad” Thank you! I’m just slightly hesitant because Yale, which I’m planning on applying SCEA for, has a 25th percentile at 31, but can an unhooked applicant (well, besides first gen) that hasn’t revolutionized cancer treatment actually stand a chance?
Males are in relative short supply at some schools so you might use that to your advantage. Most students don’t improve their ACT scores wildly so starting with a 28 and thinking of UC might be optimistic. Vasser, American, and Kenyon come to mind as white male hopefuls.
@WISdad23 Oh, sorry for the misconception from the OP! I don’t actually have a 28, I just used that as an example. I took the ACT once with little practice, and got a 31.25, and hope to get a 33+ on this September one Just wondering that if I don’t get that magical 33, will my past 31/a 32 be sufficient for any of the listed schools.
@PrimeMeridian Heck yeah! Being in a place where I feel intellectually challenged is one of my most important criteria.
This is where race comes into play, I’m afraid. Are you Hispanic? Black? Asian? White? If the former two, great! If the latter two… hope you get that 33/34/35.
