<p>So I got a 29 on the ACT with writing, and although I'm looking to improve my score to around a 31, I want to be realistic and look at what I currently have. What kind of matches or obtainable reaches should I be looking at with a 29? </p>
<p>My grades are like 3.95 UW, so my GPA is good and my ECs are great. I feel like the standardized tests scores is where I am lagging (I am not that great of a test taker). Any suggestions on good level schools would be great!</p>
<p>maybe a community college that's 10 miles away from harvard</p>
<p>Ha I hope you're kidding Hamchuck.</p>
<p>with a 29 you have a great shot at most of the schools in this country...</p>
<p>i plan on applying early to Cornell. i feel like thats a realistic reach assuming everything else is good? any other feedback on good matches/obtainable reaches?</p>
<p>Which college at Cornell are you considering applying to? Based on that, you can have a good estimation of what your chance are.</p>
<p>The Ag. school for Communication. I was considering ILR but i'm not sure if thats for me.</p>
<p>29 is not bad. Just compared to the overachievers here at CC it's mediocre.</p>
<p>i would try to get into the 30s if you can. a 29 is still good, but you will be more competitive with a 30+ score.</p>
<p>It'll give you a good shot at anywhere but the top 15 schools in the nation.
At the top 15, you will have no shot, or a high reach.</p>
<p>Go to google and type US NEWS 100 best universities to see the list.</p>
<p>29 is what? 94-96 percentile? Don't let CCers make you feel dumb, that's stellar.</p>
<p>it's 95th percentile nationally and 93rd for my state (new york). The percentile makes it sound so much nicer, but is it really about the percentile?</p>
<p>how important are percentiles?</p>
<p>I hate that everyone on here keeps telling you to get it up and you'll be more competitive but yet in the long run is one or 2 pts., putting you in the thirties range really gonna make you look that much better. come on. I don't know that I'd worry about it. I took the SAT twice 1290/2000 and ACT once got a 29. Not taking them again either b/c I hope and think that most schools will take a holistic approach and look at every aspect of the student not just a test score that you got one sleep-deprived Saturday when you were running on coffee and wishing you were in bed.</p>
<p>^ I couldn't agree better. One or two points is not going to make a diff. Once you got a decent score, make yourself stand out in another aspect. Work on those essays. Make them stellar so when adcoms read them, they go, I want that kid.</p>
<p>Wow guys thanks for the input!</p>
<p>Yea, you have a decent shot at Cornell, although you will probably be at the lower end of the scale. However, if the rest of your app is very good, you have a nice chance.</p>
<p>That'll get you into any state flagship (umich, uiuc, ect) and many privates.</p>