<p>I have a little problem (BIG problem).
My state requires all Juniors to take a state-mandated ACT (no writing) test in the Spring.
I am currently a Junior and have already taken the SAT and got 2300+ (out of 2400).
I took a practice ACT around that same time and got a low 30s score (out of 36).</p>
<p>I don't want Princeton/Harvard/etc. to see my COMPARATIVELY "lackluster" ACT grades when my SAT score is almost perfect. (it is by no means lackluster...just for lack of a better word)</p>
<p>Is there any way I can opt out of the ACT test? Maybe erase it from my transcript? (The ACT score will be posted on my transcript) Please help.</p>
<p>In the meantime, I definitely will be studying for the ACT but I'm just wondering...in case I don't get a 35/36, can I not show that to my colleges?</p>
<p>Thanks so much.</p>
<p>(Heads up: I'm also posting this onto Harvard/Princeton/others' forums. I just want to get as many answers as possible.)</p>
<p>Most selective colleges require the ACT with writing. As your state requires students to take the test without writing, the score will most probably be ignored.</p>
<p>^^ What Gibby said. My school allows it to be taken off the transcript and replaced if you show that you took a test with writing at another date.</p>
<p>This is not a big problem as they see this play out time and again. There are several states that require their HS students to take ACT in the spring junior year. This may be a condition for HS Diploma in the state(s)
You can submit your SAT 1 score plus two SAT subject tests and have college report send them to Yale (or other Ivies you are applying). That would represent your official scores you wish to use for your application. They’ll see the context - and just ignore your ACT scores.
One Ivy - UPenn requires reporting complete standardized testing history - from all standardized testing agencies (College Board and ACT) but they claim they’ll use this information “in context” of all other information. You may want to ask your principal or GC to consider removing the ACT from your transcript (unlikely - as this will appear as special treatment - just for you), but overall this is not as big problem as it may appear.
Not showing up for the test is probably not a good option - as that may be interpreted negatively.</p>
<p>Also, all the schools you mentioned have “score choice” –
If you’re already happy with your SAT I score, you need only submit two additional SAT II scores. You don’t even have to submit your ACT score!</p>
<p>@clandarkfire’s question is a good one. I would love to hear the OP’s response.</p>
<p>I believe the OP is concerned about the ACT scores appearing on their high school transcript and thereby being made known to the admissions office that way.</p>
<p>I am in general agreement with the above advice – don’t worry about. They will consider your best score only. Moreover the ACT without writing should be ignored if a school requires the writing portion (as most competitive schools do).</p>
<p>However, if this does not satisfy you, you might ask your high school registrar if the ACT scores can be stricken from your transcript. In most states they should do this as your scores are, well, yours and you should be able to control to whom you make them known. However in an ACT-required state (such as IL–I believe there are six such states currently), especially in one where the state pays the test fee, these might be considered “official” state scores and therefore controlled by the state and your school. In this case they might be within their rights to deny your request. It is worth pursuing, however, if you really don’t want Yale to see your scores.</p>
<p>But, as I said, my best advice is that you not concern yourself with it.</p>
<p>You sound like you’re in Illinois (if not, you’re free to ignore this). For whatever reason, the Prairie State is required, but it’s really nothing huge–and if you’re capable of a 2300+, you’re more than likely able to do equally well on the ACT, so don’t freak out. I honestly don’t know if you’re able to just skip out, but doing reasonably well (30+) will make you an Illinois State Scholar as well as garner you a few Prairie State Achievement awards, which are always nice to have. That’s just my one cent, though.</p>