<p>ok i was obviously exaggerating. just trying to make a point that standardized tests are not everything. colleges are trying to construct a class and the ACT and SAT are not the only thing taken into account.</p>
<p>^ Yeah exactly, you've fully conquered the ACT. Now put it aside and move on, because retaking is going to be counter productive.</p>
<p>But a 7 on the essay isn't my definition of conquering... I guess I'm just going to have to show the admissions office at wherever I end up applying that I am a competent writer that will be successful at the college level.</p>
<p>I really wouldn't worry about it. If you can get a 36, i'm sure your essays will show you're an excellent writer far better than silly standardized test essays. </p>
<p>On the other hand, they'd probably think you're bats**t crazy if you retake a 36. I actually had a chat with an admissions officer about how one of her students retook a 2400 for some inexplicable reason. She thought it was pretty funny/that the student was out of her mind.</p>
<p>OP, it will be important to show some ECs besides test taking. I know you have them. Don't caste any doubt by obsessing about this.</p>
<p>OMG... I am in the EXACT same situation as you are in! Except that I'm not gonna retake the test. 36 is more than good enough.</p>
<p>Procrastination, it appears from reading these posts that most people wouldn’t retake a 36 ACT with a 7 on the essay, however, you still sound like it bothers you and that’s what’s important. The good thing about ACTs vs. SATs is that you only send what scores you want them to see. If you order your reports correctly and don’t fill in any college names when you sign up for the test, they will have no idea how many times you have taken it. If it bothers you that much, take the test. If you do better, send the new score, if you do worse, don’t report it and be happy with what you have.</p>
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If they reject you, I'm 9.99999999999999999999% sure it wouldn't be because of your writing section in the ACT.
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<p>hahaha, i guess he's not too sure... maybe you should retake it</p>
<p>9.9%? lol, doesn't seem to sure.</p>
<p>i was kidding... i dont knwo how to respond to that.</p>
<p>I HAVE to say you are gonna get rejected because of that 7. too bad!</p>
<p>"On the other hand, they'd probably think you're bats**t crazy if you retake a 36. I actually had a chat with an admissions officer about how one of her students retook a 2400 for some inexplicable reason. She thought it was pretty funny/that the student was out of her mind."</p>
<p>I agree with this. Why do something that is likely to make the adcom roll his eyes?</p>
<p>OP: you must understand that most people who read your inquiry WILL roll their eyes. It appears that most people have said that you're worrying about nothing. However, if you can't shed that nervousness then go ahead and do as you see fit.</p>
<p>What did you expect when you posted? Affirmation to your insecurity? I suspect you really even know the answer if you removed yourself from the situation. </p>
<p>Regardless, best of luck to you and congrats on a great score.</p>
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Why do something that is likely to make the adcom roll his eyes?
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<p>I agree that there's no reason to retake a 36, low writing score or not. But there is no downside to retaking the ACT, as the student gets to choose which sitting(s) to send to colleges. If the OP retakes and gets a "higher" 36, no adcom need ever know about the "lower" 36.</p>
<p>Thank you everyone. What I expected when I posted was opinions on the weight of the essay score in the admissions process, and whether or not it would be WORTH MY TIME TO RETAKE IT. I really don't want any glaring "holes" in my profile, which this 7 certainly is (writing ability, after all, is a very good indicator of success in college, right?). And, I really didn't want to retake it from the beginning, unless someone here jumped out and said I had to. I have decided that I will just make sure to take time to write solid essays, as my high school transcript will establish my success in the rigorous English and writing classes I have taken.</p>
<p>don't retake it; its painful and Yale doesnt care lol.</p>
<p>Did you take the SAT I too?</p>
<p>I got a 7 for the ACT essay but a 12 for the SAT...</p>
<p>The other sections of the ACT were MUCH easier than the ones on the SAT though...</p>
<p>If I have the time to take the SAT I I might as well just retake the ACT since I'm more familiar with that test. Hopefully I can demonstrate my writing ability through other means.</p>