I am curious, since standarize test scores aren’t everything.
Your EC’s and hooks if available.
I noticed in your other threads, you’re concerned that your ACT score will bar you from admission to Boston University.
At my high school, about 40 or so students applied to BU - no one with an SAT score lower than 1900* was admitted. That isn’t to say that it is impossible for a student with a low score to be admitted, it simply means that in many (or the majority) of cases, scores are very important for admission. On the flip side, I had a relatively high SAT score but very weak EC’s and no hooks, and I was admitted to BU with some merit aid. I had friends that had similar situations (high SAT score, good grades, very little else) who were accepted.
*For reference, a 1900 SAT is comparable to ~28 ACT score.
Public schools such as the UCs tend to emphasize GPA much more than SAT/ACT test scores. For example, UCLA has a 25%-75% ACT range of 26-32.
Thank you for the info @preamble1776
My act is a 21. But I am really involved so I’m hoping go get in throught CGS
Perhaps it is time to look at test optional schools
@LilyL5282 what is your state of residency?
A 21 ACT can get you into somewhere better than a community college that simply admits everybody. Are you able to retake for a better score? What is your GPA?
GCS is often full pay… could your parents afford 70K out of pocket? Although the point is moot, since only 2% admitted students had scores in the 20-23 range, and you can bet your bottom dollar they were all seriously hooked (as in, super athletes).
ACT 21 = test optional colleges if you have a strong GPA or directional state universities in your state as your safety or match.
21 is average. Therefore, if your GPA is above average, you have lots of choices even with your scores:
(they’re roughly grouped by region and all are accessible to you - some are even test-optional)
- Elmhurst, Albion, Alma, Adrian, Augsburg, Northland, Viterbo, Alverno, U-Wisconsin Superior
- University of Montevallo, USouthernMississippi, Drury, Lindenwood, Cottey, Meredith, Guilford GardnerWebb, Shepherd, Davis&Elkins
- Regis, Fort Lewis, Westminster-Utah, Southern Utah
- Linfield, College of Idaho, Pacific Lutheran, Evergreen State U, Washington State, UWyoming
- U Hartford, Quinnipiac,Drew, Siena, SUNY Alfred, SUNY Plattsbugh, SUNY Fredonia, Wells, Molloy, St Bonaventure, Utica,
- Howard, McDaniel, Stevenson, UMW, Randolph, Roanoke, Shenandoah, Longwood, Virginia Wesleyan,
- Flagler, UTampa, Lynn, Spelman, LaGrange, Kennesaw State, Oglethorpe, Erskine, USC-Aiken, Anderson, Coastal Carolina,
- Carroll-MT, Nebraska Wesleyan, Augustana, Black Hills,
- Millikin, Blackburn, Aurora, SIU-Carbondale, Ball State, Manchester, Wartburg, UNI, UDubuque, Baker,
- Bellarmine, WKU, Centenary-LA, UNewOrleans, Loyola-NO, Maryville, Austin Peay, St Edward’s, Texas Lutheran,
- UMaine, UMaine Fort Kent, USouthern Maine, Wentworth, Baypath, Stonehill, Lesley, MCLA, Champlain, St Michael’s,
- Capital-OH, Muskingum, UToledo,Arcadia, Elizabethtown, Lebanon Valley, Lycoming, Geneva, UScranton, Millersville, Gannon, Point Park, Penn State Greater Allegheny,
Check those out. If you like them (most of them are quite nice), run the Net Price Calculator.
(* = I’ve heard good things about them or know&like them for B-/B students with low-ish scores, but YMMV so please check them all out to know what’s good for you!)
CA residents are especially well-served: UC Irvine, UCSC, (if instate and hooked), UCMerced, CPP, St Mary’s Moraga, UC Riverside, ULaverne, almost all CSUs, Whittier…
No chance at UCI and UCSC with a 21 ACT unless you are hooked. Even UCM and UCR would be difficult.
Honestly, GPA and Test scores are the two most important things. ECs and hooks can help as tiebreakers between two similar candidates, but they aren’t a big deal.
@umcoe16 I have retaken the test.
But i am a slow test taker.
Math is my best section, but my writing and reading scores hurt me.
English isn’t my first language and outside of home, the English i am exposed to isn’t proficient.
However, I have improved greatly in my English.
I am of NY residence in a small town area.
Almost all of my regents are 90+ except 2 regents.
@bopper yeah, I am looking into Smith College.
Smith is a test optional school.