<p>I am currently a junior and I got a 34 composite in September.</p>
<p>35 Math
34 English
36 Science
32 Reading</p>
<p>34 Composite</p>
<p>10 Essay</p>
<p>I was shooting for a 35, but I got a 34. Initially, I was planning on just keeping the 34 and being done with it, but I would love to have at least a 35. I am planning on applying to several of the most prestigious schools such as Stanford and Princeton. Also, would having at least a 35 increase my chances of getting merit scholarships at less selective schools? Thank you</p>
<p>If it was your first try, then yes retake it. BUT after a few months. You can focus on academics and I would suggest taking the June ACT, and maybe the March one if you rlly want. </p>
<p>I don’t know that having a 35 over a 34 will help you significantly with admissions at the schools you mentioned, or with obtaining merit scholarships at “less selective schools.” Also, I would investigate and consider colleges and universities that are going to provide you with a good education in your chosen field, and where you will be happy while you attend – which is a little different than colleges and universities that are “prestigious.”</p>
<p>The only school I know where the difference really matters is Rutgers. I think 35 is free ride, tuition all that jazz. However, if you’re going HYPSM route, I really don’t think it makes a difference. It’s still 99%. Unless you wanna boost your section scores, there really is no need. </p>
<p>No! Doing so shows a lack of confidence and knowledge of statistical probability. Show the school that you’re much more than a test taking machine.Stand pat and move forward! Good Luck.</p>
<p>It never hurts to try. When I took it the first time I had a low 34 and got a middle 35 when I retook the test. The only problem is that your lowest score is in reading, which is by far the hardest to improve. I would commit to doing reading practice tests if you retake</p>
<p>Um…no science is hardest to improve in, reading is a piece of cake.</p>
<p>And since you scored a 34, if you practice a bit more, its virtually impossible (unless you dont try) to get a lot lower. Just take it when you feel confident and aim for 36 ;)</p>
<p>Would you rather stay with a 34 if you thought you couldve gotten a 36 when you are applying senior year? I know its not THAT big of a difference when you are up there but still. </p>
<p>Hate to say it, but as an Asian with aspiration of HYPSM, it’s probably worth taking it again. I was breaking down the decisions thread in the Harvard forum, and there was a clear distinction for ACT 35/SAT 2300 for people getting in early vs. those being deferred. When schools are accepting 7 percent of their applicants, anything you can do to improve your application is worth doing.</p>
<p>If the rest of your application is relatively weak, a 35 could help outweigh that. Also, if you’re fairly confident that you could get a 35 on your second try or that a 34 was a fib, then go for it. </p>
<p>No. Spend your preparation time making your essays better unless you really, really want to raise your score. Colleges will care more about fantastic essays than they will about one more ACT point.</p>
<p>I would suggest to try it again, specially if the schools you want to apply super score. As long as it doesn’t take time away from Sat 2 or school courses.</p>
As I said on a couple of other threads on the same topic, I think there’s little downside to taking it again and the upside from improvement may be worth the risk if you have some score goals to attain. My D1 retook 33 and got a 34. My D2 retook a 34 and got a 35. And many of the subscores went up significantly in both cases, so they accomplished what they wanted out of the retake. It all depends what your subscore situation is as well and whether the schools you are applying to superscore the ACT or require you report all your scores. HYPSM differ on these, so that should go into your thinking.