Please Chance Me For My Top Schools! Should I Retake ACT?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

Hi, I took the ACT for the first time in February and got a 29 (without studying) and took it again in June (with studying+math tutor) and ended up with a 32 (30 English, 31 Science, 32 Reading, 33 Math), however my English score actually went down a point from February and so did my Writing score. At first I thought a score of 32 would be fine for the schools I wanted but I realized 32 is mostly an average score and I’ve been reading a lot of threads about this and most of them suggest retaking it/it’s not competitive enough? I haven’t studied since June and now I feel really nervous about the idea of retaking it. At the same time I feel like I could be doing something more to improve my chances.

The schools I am applying to (so far) are:
-University of Washington
-UC Berkeley, LA, Davis
-Georgetown University
-Northwestern University
-Washington University in St. Louis

Here are my stats:
GPA UW: 3.98 (my school doesn’t provide a weighted GPA)

6 APs (9-11th grade):
AP Human Geography (4), AP Psychology (4), AP World History (5), AP Biology (4), AP Physics 1 (3), AP English Language & Composition (5)

Senior Year Course Load: 5 APs: AP Art History, AP Comparative Government, AP U.S. Gov, AP Calc AB, AP Chemistry
along with Technical Theatre, Biotechnology, and Senior Lit

Extracurriculars:
-STEM League (10-12)
-Volunteered at Seattle Humane animal shelter (10-12)
-Tutor Club as Vice President (10-12)
-National Art Honor Society (10-12)
-National Honor Society (11-12)
-Started a non-profit that teaches underprivileged and sick children music (I teach the ukulele)
-Camelot Club (11-12)
-Volunteered at my Church as youth leader and at toddler day-care (9-12)
-JV/Varsity Tennis player (9-12) got into varsity as a junior

Honors:
Just your typical AP Scholar awards with distinction and a Knight Valor Award from my HS for over 150 hours of community service. After that, they stop counting hours but I think I have over 200 hours

Sorry if the format is messy I’m in a hurry right now I’ll organize and add things later!
Thank you in advance to everyone who responds!

2

Some Additional Stats and Information (couldn’t edit the original post oops):
SAT Subject Tests: Chinese (790), Biology (740), and Math 2, which I will be taking in October (and will probably have to retake because I haven’t started studying)

Gender: F
Race: Asian
Class rank: my school does not rank

Recommendations: have not asked, but should turn out alright (English and Physics teacher), but I’ll also need a counselor recommendation for Gtown which probably will only be average at most

Essays:
So far I have one already done about getting lost at a night market in Taiwan and having a new perspective on first impressions (answers one of the common app prompts)
but I wasn’t sure if that was a great essay so I started on my second one (mostly for the Coalition app but will work for Common app too if it turns out well) about my passion for art history and my mom’s influence and possibly realizing a balance between that passion and cultural standards in my family (not sure if that’s good)
I would also love some advice on them or just someone to let me know if they’re even worth submitting, so let me know if you would like to read them :slight_smile:

Intended major(s):
Biology/Pre-med/Human Sciences and International Relations

3

Can you afford these schools???

4

Looking good for Washington (instate?), and you should consider applying to the Honors Program.

https://honors.uw.edu/apply/freshman/faq/

UW has superb departments for your intended majors.

http://www.stat.tamu.edu/~jnewton/nrc_rankings/nrc1.html#RANKBYAREA
http://www.shanghairanking.com/FieldLIFE2016.html
http://nturanking.lis.ntu.edu.tw/DataPage/TOP300.aspx?query=LifeSciences&y=2016

UW is building a new Life Sciences Complex near the School of Medicine:

https://artsci.washington.edu/campaign/life-sciences-complex
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=b_vuBkJErPY

UW’s Jackson School of International Studies is a member of the Association of Professional Schools of International Affairs.

https://jsis.washington.edu
https://jsis.washington.edu/about/
https://jsis.washington.edu/programs/

http://www.apsia.org/member-schools/
https://apsia.org/graduate-schools-programs/member-directory/member-profile/?schoolID=1377

Good luck!

5

@“aunt bea” , Based off of what FAFSA asks for, the numbers show that I can afford it. But it doesn’t really take into account of what my parents would like to save for retirement so we probably won’t get much financial aid.

@UWfromCA, Wow thanks! That’s a lot of information for UW, and yes I’m in-state.
I was looking at the International Studies major, and I see different “tracks”. I particularly like the Foreign Policy, Diplomacy, Peace and Security Track. Do we get to choose “tracks” or is there a certain number of classes we take from each?

Thanks!!

6

Great question. I suggest that you contact an adviser to discuss the different tracks and course selection.

https://jsis.washington.edu/advise/appointment/

7

For the private schools, I would suggest 1 more ACT. 32 is on the low end for students accepted to Georgetown, Northwestern, and WashU. My son is going to be a WashU freshman and knows admitted students who got in with 32 and lower but they were legacy or URM. Better to have a 34+ to make those schools targets.

You will get no financial aid as an OOS to the UCs. That being said, you’re a match for UCD since the GPA is high enough with good rigor and the ACT is in range. Berkeley and UCLA are going to be a reach, but that’s true for any student.

You do need to calculate your UC GPA. Only your AP classes will get the additional weighting but with a 3.98 unweighted and 6 AP classes completed, you should have a high UC GPA.

I would possibly apply as International Relations-you are in the bad demographic for college apps and Asian biology/pre-med majors are too common.

8

@Hamurtle, I looked up the remaining dates I have for the ACT and there’s one in October and another in December.
Do you think I’ll have enough time to study and raise my score (especially in English)?
My UC GPA is 4.12
If I apply as International Relations, I could still declare a Bio major if I get in right?
Thank you so much for your insight :slight_smile:

9

I just want to start off by saying that you sound like quite the smart cookie and any school would be lucky to have you. I would agree with the above comments in saying that 32 is a little low and you should work that up to AT LEAST 33. Remember, if you get a 36 that does not mean an automatic admission. Standardized test scores (as well as GPA) just get you put into the consideration pile. What matters next (especially at GTown, NU, & WashU) is your extracurriculars, which look great – you’re well-rounded, but clearly have interests – and your essay. As for the topics you suggested, I think both could be very interesting, but I think the one about your passion for art history would be better because that gives you more of an opportunity to talk about you and what you enjoy (while the one in Taiwan doesn’t really give you a chance to talk about yourself except for the fact that you deal with first impressions differently. Very interesting, but not as much room to give information about you). Hope I helped!

10

@usagirl1776 Wow thank you so much, I’ve been stressing a lot about this but that little encouragement really made my day! I think I’ll follow everyone’s advice on working on my ACT scores for sure, and I’ll definitely work hard on my art history essay :slight_smile: Thank you!!

11

@ChubbyPanda a month and a half should be enough time to study to bring up your English ACT score.

Do you know which of your 3 private schools you want to apply to? WashU loves their students to show demonstrated interest. Attending school fairs, contacting your regional rep, and visiting are some ways of demonstrating interest. If any one of Georgetown, Northwestern, or WashU are high on your list, you should consider ED.

12

And yes, as long as you are in Arts and Sciences for a UC, you can change your major.

13

@Hamurtle Is is bad if I like all three? As for my top choice among the private schools, I can’t really decide between Northwestern and Georgetown since both have the concentrations I want in a bio major and also the international studies/relations major that I’m looking for, besides all the other pros that go along with these top schools. I am hoping to double major :slight_smile:
As for ED, I’m not sure if that’s the best choice for me since my parents are hoping for financial aid and ultimately they may want me to stay in-state…they wanted to see my options before deciding (like if I even get accepted or not)

14

Not a bad thing to like those schools. It’s a good idea to weigh the pros and cons of any school before committing. Absolutely make sure that a school is an ideal fit based on your major, affordability, and other factors. You are doing the right thing and a previous poster mentioned your dedication. And I think it is likely that you will get that ACT composite closer to 34 based on your work ethic.

Would you consider USC? They tend to give better financial aid than your other private school options.

15

@Hamurtle Thanks, I can only dream of getting a 34 but I’ll do my best!
Yeah, I have actually! I’ll do some more research on them, thank you :slight_smile:

16

It may be easier to double major at a place like Northwestern than Georgetown if you’re accepted into their School of Foreign Service, which houses their I/R major. You won’t be able to get a major in Georgetown College which houses the science majors, check if you can get a minor there or use electives to take your pre-med courses. NW has both in their arts and science college as the UCs do, and you can apply as a I/R major there to improve your chances, but note that they know that applicants do this so will look for strong academics across the board (meaning they have to think you can major in Literature or Computer Science).

Also some advice for future since you’ll need three SAT 2 subject tests for Georgetown- don’t take any standardized tests without studying, you’ll be competing against people that will have done a lot of studying. Your first score would have been a 32 and you’d have been in a much stronger position Anyway it’s in the past, so no need to dwell on it more. A 32 for an Asian would be below average for your top three privates, along with the top UCs as well, so I would take it again, even though I don’t think it’s a good to take any of the tests more than twice, as it could signal that you’re test focused. Ask your GC, call the admissions officers to find out.

17

First of all, FAFSA does not tell you at all if any of these schools are affordable to you. Check their NPCS instead. Second, what are your section scores? ACT32 is not very competitive for these schools although it will not get you rejected right away because of that.

18

@theloniusmonk Sorry I’m kind of new to all this. So to clarify, is it impossible to double major when the two majors are in different schools? Or is it just significantly harder, or does that just apply to Georgetown?
Would you suggest applying as I/R first, with my courseload and EC’s? I feel like they wouldn’t think I could major in Computer Science since I haven’t demonstrated any interest on my application.
Yeah, I regret taking that February test with little preparation…but I signed up for the October test today and I hope it’ll be worth it.
Thank you!

19

@billcsho Sorry, what is NPCS?
My sections scores are on the OP, but they are 30 English, 31 Science, 32 Reading, 33 Math. I’ve decided to retake it even though it’ll be my third time but I really think I can improve on my English section :slight_smile:
Thanks!

20

NPC means Net Price Calculator. Different schools compute need-based financial aid differently. You can find the calculator on each school’s website (search NPC). The amount each school expects as your Estimated Family Contribution may be higher or lower than what FAFSA indicates. I think Georgetown, Northwestern and Wash U all require the CSS Profile, which is an additional financial aid form.