Should I retake the ACT? Cornell!

Applying to College
1

<p>Hi, so I just got my September ACT score back. It was a 31 (E:33 M:32 R:29 S:29)
I'm planning to applying to Cornell ED, but I don't know if it would worth retaking. What do you guys think?</p>

<p>Here's my background if it helps making a decision:</p>

<p>ACT: 31 (E:33 M:32 R:29 S:29)
GPA: 4.0? my school doesn't really have a 'set' scale
I have a 97 out of 100 unweighted.
Weighted: 106
Rank: my school doesn't rank anymore
AP: World history (3- should I send it?), US History (4), Lang (4), Biology (4)
Senior Year: 5 APs: Spanish, Environmental, Calculus AB, Literature, and Government
Awards: National AP Scholar with Honor and highest AMC score in school</p>

<p>Extracurriculars:
-Red Cross (4 years): president and secretary
-Environmental Club (4 years): secretary
-NEHS (3 years): treasurer
-Played violin for 8 years
-Chamber Orchestra (4 years)
-NHS (4 years)
-Sci Honor Society (4 years)
-Key Club (4 years)
-Mathletes (4 years)
-History Honor Society (new club - 2 years)</p>

<p>Recommendations: getting one from my math teacher and current AP sci teacher (had him for freshman and senior year)
Essays: I think my commonapp is pretty good; still working on supplement
Ethnicity: Chinese.. unfortunately will be a weakness
Hooks: My dad went to Cornell.
So did my aunt and 3 cousins but I doubt they'd care. </p>

2

<p>Honestly, yes I think you should retake it. Your grades are good, but your extracurriculars seem a little generic. Most with your kind of profile are going to have much higher test scores, and you might as well do as much as you can to help you if it’s your first choice. 31 is not outstanding, if you can raise it even one or two points it’ll look so much better. Good luck to you!</p>

3

<p>I also think you should try retaking it. Science is something that if you practice regularly, you can often improve this (as much involves reading graphs, etc). Try several practice sets to give yourself the practice. Good luck. Remember that many schools will superscore even ACTs so if you can get Reading and Science up a point or two, even if the others remain the same, then your overall score will rise.</p>