SAT vs ACT Dilemma

Test Preparation
1

<p>So I just got my ACT scores back...
34 E (33 combined with a 10 essay)
34 M
34 R
....29 S
Composite: 33</p>

<h2>I'm extremely disappointed in my science section. In the practice test I took, I scored a 36. Timing absolutely killed me here, and I had to guess on a whole section.</h2>

<p>Now here's my sat...
760 CR
680 M
760 W (10 essay)
Total: 2200 / 1440</p>

<h2>I was extremely disappointed in my Math score here. I'm notorious for making stupid mistakes, and the fact that 4/6 of the questions that I got wrong were "easy" really bothers me. </h2>

<p>On to my question. I'm a senior applying to the Ivys (Dartmouth, Brown, Cornell), having already applied to UMD and Georgetown as a Physics/Bio major, with a double major in a language. My grades are great, I have a strong set of ECs, and will have good recs and essays. Will these test scores really hurt me? </p>

<p>Should I send both scores, or just one? The ACT proves that I'm better than my 680 Math, but it also makes it look like I'm bad in science (even though that's really just glorified Critical Reading, which I do well in.) Would the Ivys look at these score in context to one another, or is it just "does he meet the bar?" What I mean is, would they say, "oh, a 680 math, but a 34 ACT math? That balances out!"? Would they not accept me as a science major if my Science score is low (I doubt it, but...)?</p>

<p>I guess I may still have the option of taking another round of tests, but should I? Which one should I retake, if I do? I didn't really prep for either test, but I'm not too sure if I'd want to with 5 APs + college apps + sports this year...</p>

<p>Thanks in advance, everyone, and I apologize for the rambling questions!</p>

2

<p>If you can improve your math section a little bit, that looks great-especially applying a science major.</p>

3

<p>In your case you should just send both; they will use that one they believe is the better for you.</p>

4

<p>Thanks for the replies. So the sending both can’t hurt me? I was afraid that, even though the Science section of the ACT doesn’t test science knowledge, my low score would hurt me as a prospective science major.</p>

<p>Any more comments and advice are more than welcome, too!</p>

5

<p>If you didn’t take the ACT with writing, then you’ll have to send the SAT to schools that require writing. But your ACT is slightly higher so yes, send both.</p>

6

<p>Luckily, I did take the ACT with writing, so I should be able to send it wherever I want. </p>

<p>Does anyone else have any advice? I’d really appreciate it, since my college counselor is brand new and less than helpful!</p>

7

<p>A 29 in science isn’t that bad. I am pretty sure a 31 in science is 99% percentile. The science is nothing more than a glorified critical reading section. I’m not a big science guy and I happened to get a 35 on that section. Does that mean I am amazing in science? No. It only means I got passages that I understood and perhaps a little lucky.</p>