<p>Ok 34 Composite But 8 Writing (31 English/writing Combined). What Will Top Colleges Like Unc And Vandy Think About This. Is An 8 Too Low???</p>
<p>Funny enough, same here (except I squeaked a 9 lol). I'm going to go ahead and retake, because I'm likely to major in English in college and many of my ECs are writing-centered. </p>
<p>However, what happens after the April test depends on several things: whether or not I get a better essay score, whether or not my composite goes down, and whether or not I do well on the SAT this Saturday.</p>
<p>bump...please help!</p>
<p>I think that with those schools - I'm assuming you have a stellar GPA and recs - the 34 should be fine. However, If you feel it prudent to retake the ACT and hopefully score higher in the writing section, then go ahead and do it. However, your stats are perfectly fine for those two schools.</p>
<p>Best of Luck!</p>
<p>The rule of thumb is, if you think you can do better, then retake the test!</p>
<p>I wouldn't retake in your case, unless you are majoring in English, journalism, or something like that. For careers not directly related to writing, the 8 should not be an issue.</p>
<p>see the thing is...i want to major in journalism and not to brag, but i feel that i am a good writer. i got a 10 on the SAT essay and i make good grades in AP english and such.</p>
<p>I think as long as you prove that you can actually speak English, that's about the extent that most colleges care about the writing section.</p>
<p>lulumobile,</p>
<p>I wanted you to know that my opinion is just that -- an opinion; it is not based on facts. It might not matter even if you are interested in journalism. I heard of students in a similar situation who didn't think their relatively low ACT writing score made a difference to the colleges where they applied. I still think that if your other statistics are strong --particularly the ones relevant to your intended major-- it's not worth it to go through the test again. After all, you have an impressive composite. Good luck.</p>
<p>thanks</p>
<p>what percentile is an 8? does anyone know?</p>
<p>Try ACT</a> Score Information: National Ranks for ACT Scores</p>
<p>You also might want to check boards for individual schools re: your chances. But intuition - no hard evidence - tells me that you will be fine.</p>
<p>What about someone (ahem) who IS planning to major in English? I'm in pretty much the same situation (34/9 essay), but I have As in AP English, placed in a few poetry contests, attended writing camp, etc. Will the so-so essay score take away from all of that?</p>
<p>my mom just told me i'd get a new digital camera if i get a 35. i KNOW its not going to happen, but i would beat myself up for a "missed opportunity". wow i really hate life. and i'm not gonna get the camera either.</p>
<p>^^^ That doesn't seem fair. It would be one thing to reward you for getting an A on a difficult test, but standardized tests aren't meant to be "studied for" (although we all know that studying helps, to a certain extent). It's like saying "I'll buy you a car if you test into MENSA!"</p>
<p>i know it looks bad, but my mom really doesnt pressure me into doing stuff. she bought me a camera for christmas, and i LOST it!!!!!!! its completely my fault. i can still buy one on my own, just have to save up my $</p>
<p>Your mom is smart. My mom said if I didn't get at least a 35 on the ACT, I would lose my car priveleges. This was after I got a 29 the first time. Guess what, I got a 34. I cried, but hell, her strategy worked. She knows I'm lazy, I know I'm lazy, so... motivation does increase SAT scores. Anyone can do well on the SAT, some people just need to put in a ton more time than others, and sometimes, your parent understands the importance of these things better than you do.</p>
<p>I think it depends on how confident you are with your essays that you submitted in your application. I believe the admission committee would much rather read a good essay and see an 8 on the ACT writing than see a 12 for the ACT and read a cruddy application essay.</p>
<p>However, if you do think that the essays that you submitted might be a liability in themselves, an 8 on the ACT won't help your cause.</p>
<p>However (take two), if you do not think that you will be able to significantly increase your ACT writing score, then it would be pointless to retake.</p>
<p>However (take three), ultimately, I think if UNC and Vandy are the most selective colleges you're applying to...you'll be more than qualified with a composite 34, regardless of your writing score.</p>
<p>However (take four), since you are intending to major in journalism, I might consider it.</p>
<p>Also...I would recommend Missouri University-Columbia or Northwestern for journalism.</p>
<p>Lol, confusing. Anyhow, good luck and congrats.</p>
<p>(note...I don't like the ACT score bribes...amoral)
(note take 2...colleges couldn't care less about a 35 over a 34...completely moot)
(note take 3...if you do end up retaking...I believe the Princeton Review is golden for the writing section. I spent 15 minutes reading it the night before I took mine and got a 12.)</p>
<p>You "ok" 34 ACT is above Harvard's average...</p>