My high school ACT was an abysmal 25. If I’m trying to transfer to a more prestigous university, should I consider retaking the ACT. For example if the average ACT at the college I’m applying is 33, and I retook I got a 31, would that help or hurt my chances?
Thanks!
I think it would help only if the school doesn’t require you to send all your scores.
A 33 avg ACT is an elite tier college. Yale is a 33 average. They for the most part have very difficult transfer requirements. The acceptance rate on transfers is about 1/2 the freshman admit rate. To be accepted to that level, you would more likely neet a 35+, 4.0 in college, Strong HS recond (they will still look at this), recomendations, AND a compelling reason why you need to transfer. Going to a more prestigious university isn’t a compelling reason. If you were a ESPN 5 star football recruit that got his ACT from a 25 to a 31 then you likely have a shot at Stanford.
You need to specify schools you are considering. Some schools won’t take ACT/SAT taken after HS. A full year of undergraduate excellence shells greatly. What is your GPA?
Thanks for the responses everyone.
I’m looking at schools like GA Tech, WashU (Doesn’t take after HS), Vanderbilt, and Rice University. No ivy leagues.
My gpa at the end of my first semester will be a 3.8, I can probably maintain this over the next year and a half. I will be trying to transfer as junior, so I’ve been told HS doesn’t matter as much because of this (GPA was 3.5).
Georgia Tech does not list any high school based application requirements (including ACT or SAT scores) for transfer applicants: http://admission.gatech.edu/transfer/application-requirements .
WUStL requires any ACT or SAT scores that you may have taken while in high school, but does not accept those taken after high school: https://admissions.wustl.edu/apply_site/Pages/Transfer-Student-Requirements.aspx
Vanderbilt requires SAT or ACT scores but does not specify when from: https://admissions.vanderbilt.edu/prospective/transfer.php
Rice requires SAT or ACT scores but does not specify when from: http://futureowls.rice.edu/futureowls/Standardized_Tests.asp
So for Vander and Rice would it make sense to retake? @ucbalumnus
Which classes have you taken? Why do you now think selective schools are on your horizon? What is your current university and major?
These schools reject high school applicants with ACT’s of 33 and higher all the time, a college soph transfer isn’t going to be more desirable based on a higher ACT (a test for high schoolers) taken after going to college, you really need to clarify what your aim is, you were a HS kid with an ACT of 25. 1 yr later, what has changed? What are you offering these schools?
Check with each school directly to see if it will accept standardized testing done after HS graduation. As noted above the ACT is written for HS students.
@Sybylla Trying to transfer as junior, not sophomore.
Missouri S&T, Computer Science. 3.8 GPA over 4 semesters. A large ACT jump would prove I’m serious about trying to transfer to a university with a better computer science program. I have pretty good ECs as well.
@happy1 thats probably my best bet. Thanks.
If you are trying to transfer as a junior then also ask if they even look at your HS record and ACT or if they only look at your college record.
What’s wrong with Missouri S&T CS?
@ucbalumnus Nothing in particular, just not a fan of the school and social aspects.
A college junior taking an ACT would be even less relevant, you really should make sure you have the right focus here because IMO, the ACT isn’t it. Again, what classes have you completed?
My gpa at the end of my first semester will be a 3.8, I can probably maintain this over the next year and a half.<<<<<
[/QUOTE]
So you are a college freshman? How do you even have a definitive GPA at this point?
And to answer your original question, I think if you re-took the ACT as a college sophomore and still scored below the average for an incoming college freshman then it would not help your application at all. If you are sure you want to transfer then just like when applied to college seek out not only reach school but also match/safety schools that appear affordable (remember merit aid is rarely given out to transfer students) and that you would be happy to move to. The top tier colleges are extremely difficult to transfer into. Of course staying put at a school where you are achieving at a high level in a difficult major is also a very good option to have.
And a a piece of unsolicited advice – I think it is a terrible idea to start one college with the intent of transferring out. This will stand in the way of your making meaningful friendships, developing relationships with professors, and getting involved on campus. Then if your transfer doesn’t work out as planned you will be really stuck. I’d intend on staying all four years. It is fine to throw in some transfer applications down the road but don’t count on it working out.