Should I retake the ACT/SAT based on my scores and the colleges I'm applying to?

Test Preparation
1

<p>Ok first of all let me say that my GPA isn't great, maybe a 3.75 unweighted but I've taken a lot of AP courses, and I know GPA is very important for top colleges.
So this probably puts more weight on my test scores.</p>

<p>My top 4 college choices are:
1. UPenn - Wharton
2. Cal - Berkeley
3. NYU
4. University of Michigan - Ross</p>

<p>My ACT is a 35. I've taken it twice already. I'm considering taking it once more to get a perfect but I don't know if it's worth it.
My SAT is a 2290. That's decent, but I took it once with absolutely no studying so if I studied and took it again, I'm sure I could do better.</p>

<p>So... will it make a difference when applying to these colleges if I had a 36 or a 2340 perhaps? My GPA is below average, my ECs are average.</p>

<p>Thanks! :)</p>

2

<p>No, it will not make one bit of difference for admissions. Your gpa/rank and average ECs will keep you out of Wharton, not your test score. NYU is the easiest admit on your list, with Michigan next.</p>

<p>Depending on your state of residence, a 36 might make you very competitive for a Byrd Scholarship, assuming that Congress continues to fund that program.</p>

3

<p>DO NOT retake the ACT. My ACT tutor said that anything above a 32, colleges don’t like students to retest because it looks like they’re trying too hard. at 35 is in the 99th percentile, don’t even think about retesting, plus, it’s extremely hard. You might want to retake the SAT if you really want to, but again, it’s not needed, especially with your schools.</p>