I got a 35 composite ACT, with the following breakdown:
36 E
36 M
36 R
33 S
but only a 29 essay!
should i have my essay regraded? i thought I did really well on it so this seems way out of whack. im applying to some pretty good schools like some ives, so I feel like this might negatively impact me
Considering you’d be writing an essay to them anyway for admissions, I don’t see them taking away your acceptance for a 29 essay. I also wouldn’t ask for your essay to be regraded as it isn’t a shockingly low score. If you want to, you can retake the test. I don’t see the benefit seeing as you already have a great composite score anyway. What is your GPA like? I’d only see the use of retaking the exam to make for a below average GPA or lacking ECs.
I really don’t want to retake the whole test, and I have gotten a 36 and 34 on the essay in the past
The only way those insanely high scores will impact you is psychologically. But I’m pretty certain no one in his right mind will have this conversation in his head when evaluating your application:
“Hmm, he only got C35. What a shame. We really want only C36s, so let’s trash his application.”
You’re pretty much done with the ACT. Focus on other aspects of your application.
I have pretty strong ec’s with a 4.6 W and 4.0 W
I know it’s a good score, but a 29 doesn’t seem like ivy level IMO
You’re already in the 99th percentile, so I’d put more time into your essays and the application process. Congratulations on the great ACT score, and good luck!
The essay scoring has known issues. 29 is very good - what is it in percentile terms? If you feel you’ve been wronged, pay to have it rescored.
I would not retake.
No, complete waste of time. If a college doesn’t admit you, it won’t be because of the essay. Please believe us.
I understand, I wasn’t planning on retaking the test. I was just wondering if it is worth the $50 to have in rescored. The policy as I understand it is that they keep your money only if you rescore is the same as the original score. So the other issue is that ACT probably won’t change the score unless it is a dramatic difference so they can profit from it. The only reason I’m even considering this is that I thought I wrote a really good essay and I have gotten a 34 and 36 on the essay before, and I felt like this one was on par.
@mamaedefamilia I believe it’s the 97th percentile
With those kinds of scores, I truly don’t believe Ivy league schools will care about a 29 on the essay. I am an incoming senior right now and I got a 33 on the ACT: 31 Science, 32 Reading, 35 Math, 35 English. However, my essay score was a 24. I know that I am not a bad writer and I’ve read that most colleges, even very prestigious ones, don’t care about the essay score. I believe that my AP Lang. and Comp. score will balance it out. Judging by your scores, I assume you’re taking a rigorous English class as well. These AP/IB scores are used to get a perspective of the applicant’s writing ability just as much, if not more than, the ACT/SAT essay.
@runna67 The ACT rescorers a) won’t know your previous scores and b) are paid an hourly wage by Pearsons. So at least you don’t have to worry about a score change being held back by the P&L. I agree with other commenters. Rescore if it means not worrying about what might have happened with a rescore – not because it will change any admission decisions.
Is there a possibility of them reducing my score when they regrade? Or can it only stay the same or improve?
It can’t go down. It’s either no change and they take your money or a higher score and return your fee.