"Very" low ACT, about high gpa, strong art portfolio, average amount of extracurricular activity.

I’m writing this discussion after today’s ACT test and I am freaking out right now.
So to explain my self, I am an immigrant from Asia, moved to US about 4 years ago. I am currently a senior (yes, that’s why I am freaking out).
First, my current ACT score is very low, it’s 24, and I am aware of how pathetic I am. At first I tried the old SAT, and because it was composed of mostly English, as a person who has English as my 3rd language, I knew that SAT was not a fit for me, and indeed i got 1400 our 2500 (wow). That’s why I started to go with ACT, but after two tests, I found out that I was actually really bad at ACT, especially with English and reading sections. I found out that time for ACT English and reading is just really not enough for me, and after today’s test(I know I bombed it for sure, probably worse than 24), I started to think maybe I should take the new SAT since it has longer time, and retake the ACT as well. But the problem is that both SAT and ACT are now on December, and I know that some schools want the applications by December 1st if the applicant is willing to be considered for the scholarship. For sure, I do need the scholarship, my family is really poor (reason why i could never get tutoring), I already submitted my FAFSA with expected family distribution of 0, but I know that this financial aid can’t fully cover the tuition of the schools.

To explain further more than just ACT AND SAT, I am thinking of majoring in fine arts, so I do have my art portfolio prepared, and I can confidently say that it’s really well done. Also I have my GPA of 96.79 ( I don’t know what it is with the conversion), I took all the IB courses and one AP course (our school goes with IB program), and I am the president of National art honor society, vice president of our church youth organization, and I volunteered as a teacher of a cultural school and volunteered at the animal shelter, all of them with lots of devotion. I have also win an art scholarship competition. Additionally, my college app is ready except for the test score…

I know it got really long, so conclusion is, I am not sure if the colleges would receive my late SAT OR ACT scores if its better than the one I have currently, when I apply little earlier for the scholarship’s sake. And I’m just really scared that I would not get into the colleges I want with the financial aid I need, since my ACT grade is way too low. Can anyone help me, I am in urge of crying out loud like a crazy person.

  • the colleges I'm thinking of applying is Yale (don't judge, i know im not getting in here, just wanna try since it's my -never come true- dream school), Boston U., Carnegie Mellon, University of Rochester, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rhode Island School of design (not my favorite choice),.. more to come, still not sure..

You’re not alone my gf gets was a similar NGA and just can’t do well on the ACT’s

I’m not too familiar with art schools, but I think a lot of the top art departments are test optional.

@ARL3390 I am not familiar with art schools either but I attended a Carnegie Mellon info session and when they discussed the art school the AOs said 90% of the application is based on the portfolio and 10% on academics. One AO said that he believes the website says 75% but that in reality and what they have seen in the last couple of years they would not hesitate to say it is as high as 90%. For art programs, it’s all about having an amazing portfolio. You have good grades so that is to your benefit. Good luck!