Retake ACT for math for top school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I always wonder how well these kids know themselves. It seems like she is probably very talented in reading and language, perhaps more so than math. Is engineering aligned with her true interests and talents. I'm sure she can do it, but is it what she loves and would be best at?

I hear you. She is adhd and will always have issues with careless mistakes and not the best at listening/following directions in contrast to many other stem kids. But, she has the big ideas. She is creative and inspired. She sees what the problem wants to solve it. She's also in an engineering program and doing well. So, I think she could be a real asset in the field. I could also see her pivoting to something else. So, even though I think Olin with its 50/50 ratio of women to men would be cool, I'd love it if she went somewhere that would support her equally in this field and in another if she should change her mind.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ok, not trying to make this harder or rub anything in here. DD did great on ACT (35). Hooray! She is interested in applying for some top schools for engineering, and her math was a 33. I know this is still a great score, but it's probably below the mid point for some of the schools. Do schools look at the sub scores closely? For those with admissions knowledge, should she consider trying again for a better super score? On the one had, I feel like test scores are not a huge factor anymore, and this should be enough, and it would be nice for her to just move on. But on the other hand improving by a couple of points in math would be pretty easy, and there is no bonus consideration for one and done.

I know this seems picky, but if it might make a difference, she might want to do it.

If she has to get merit aid, or go to a school like Princeton that offers spectacular need-based aid, or she’s a true child prodigy who had stomach flu or the like while taking the test, and she wants to be with her people, then she should retake it.

Otherwise, she shouldn’t. She should aim for schools where 33 is above the 75th level for math for all students, or you have the engineering school figures and a 33 is at least somewhat above average for engineering majors.

Many students slide out of engineering school. Doing anything special to get into a top engineering school is an enormous mistake. Going to a solid program as a great student is a lot better than going to MIT as a loser.

Only to $250k HHI a year which rules out most DCUM types reading this

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ok, not trying to make this harder or rub anything in here. DD did great on ACT (35). Hooray! She is interested in applying for some top schools for engineering, and her math was a 33. I know this is still a great score, but it's probably below the mid point for some of the schools. Do schools look at the sub scores closely? For those with admissions knowledge, should she consider trying again for a better super score? On the one had, I feel like test scores are not a huge factor anymore, and this should be enough, and it would be nice for her to just move on. But on the other hand improving by a couple of points in math would be pretty easy, and there is no bonus consideration for one and done.

I know this seems picky, but if it might make a difference, she might want to do it.

If she has to get merit aid, or go to a school like Princeton that offers spectacular need-based aid, or she’s a true child prodigy who had stomach flu or the like while taking the test, and she wants to be with her people, then she should retake it.

Otherwise, she shouldn’t. She should aim for schools where 33 is above the 75th level for math for all students, or you have the engineering school figures and a 33 is at least somewhat above average for engineering majors.

Many students slide out of engineering school. Doing anything special to get into a top engineering school is an enormous mistake. Going to a solid program as a great student is a lot better than going to MIT as a loser.

Only to $250k HHI a year which rules out most DCUM types reading this

OP here. We are well under that and have excellent FA at another Ivy for older sib. Part of the reason we'd hope #2 has a shot at that tier.

But, it is a good reminder in this forum as we middle class folk seem to be the poors in relation to most here.

[Anonymous]

The conventional wisdom is that it is easier to improve math and science than it is reading scores.

My DC was in a similar position, although his math score was slightly lower, and a relatively small number of one-on-one tutoring sessions brought his math and science score up (just a few hours spent on science brought his score up to a 36). The tutoring involved a series of practice tests and was very focused on the specific types of questions he was missing.

If you really care about this, your DC wants to do it, and you can afford it, I'd encourage you to consider tutoring with an expert. Otherwise, your DC will probably waste a lot of time studying stuff she already knows & may miss learning about some pitfalls that are built into these tests.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I always wonder how well these kids know themselves. It seems like she is probably very talented in reading and language, perhaps more so than math. Is engineering aligned with her true interests and talents. I'm sure she can do it, but is it what she loves and would be best at?

I hear you. She is adhd and will always have issues with careless mistakes and not the best at listening/following directions in contrast to many other stem kids. But, she has the big ideas. She is creative and inspired. She sees what the problem wants to solve it. She's also in an engineering program and doing well. So, I think she could be a real asset in the field. I could also see her pivoting to something else. So, even though I think Olin with its 50/50 ratio of women to men would be cool, I'd love it if she went somewhere that would support her equally in this field and in another if she should change her mind.

What is Olin?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I always wonder how well these kids know themselves. It seems like she is probably very talented in reading and language, perhaps more so than math. Is engineering aligned with her true interests and talents. I'm sure she can do it, but is it what she loves and would be best at?

I hear you. She is adhd and will always have issues with careless mistakes and not the best at listening/following directions in contrast to many other stem kids. But, she has the big ideas. She is creative and inspired. She sees what the problem wants to solve it. She's also in an engineering program and doing well. So, I think she could be a real asset in the field. I could also see her pivoting to something else. So, even though I think Olin with its 50/50 ratio of women to men would be cool, I'd love it if she went somewhere that would support her equally in this field and in another if she should change her mind.

What is Olin?

Engineering school

[Anonymous]

I think it is worth trying one more time to raise the math score . That said, our DC took again to raise math score and the math score went DOWN 3 points.

[Anonymous]

My kid re-took the ACT to try to score higher for this exact reason- applying to engineering schools. Retake was worse. Composite 35. Math 34. We’ll see how things shake out. Good luck to everyone’s kids!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ok, not trying to make this harder or rub anything in here. DD did great on ACT (35). Hooray! She is interested in applying for some top schools for engineering, and her math was a 33. I know this is still a great score, but it's probably below the mid point for some of the schools. Do schools look at the sub scores closely? For those with admissions knowledge, should she consider trying again for a better super score? On the one had, I feel like test scores are not a huge factor anymore, and this should be enough, and it would be nice for her to just move on. But on the other hand improving by a couple of points in math would be pretty easy, and there is no bonus consideration for one and done.

I know this seems picky, but if it might make a difference, she might want to do it.

Good score, no need to retake. Use that time for something else.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NP

DS is a Junior and got these scores:
Math - 36
Reading - 36
Verbal - 35
Science - 31

Overall, its a 35, but he wants to do CS and the STEM score is a 34. Retake, right? Or don't sweat it?

I wouldn’t sweat science like I would math. ACT Science is more of a reading test and not considered as important as math. So retake optional. But I might skip it if he’s applying to schools requiring all scores because the others are so high.

NP again.

DS did almost no prep. Do schools see if you send a super score? Is it better to show one score that’s very strong, but not perfect, or a super score?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NP

DS is a Junior and got these scores:
Math - 36
Reading - 36
Verbal - 35
Science - 31

Overall, its a 35, but he wants to do CS and the STEM score is a 34. Retake, right? Or don't sweat it?

I wouldn’t sweat science like I would math. ACT Science is more of a reading test and not considered as important as math. So retake optional. But I might skip it if he’s applying to schools requiring all scores because the others are so high.

NP again.

DS did almost no prep. Do schools see if you send a super score? Is it better to show one score that’s very strong, but not perfect, or a super score?

OP here. Glad you asked this. I was wondering the same. Also wondering if they look closely at the subscores or more at the main score.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NP

DS is a Junior and got these scores:
Math - 36
Reading - 36
Verbal - 35
Science - 31

Overall, its a 35, but he wants to do CS and the STEM score is a 34. Retake, right? Or don't sweat it?

I wouldn’t sweat science like I would math. ACT Science is more of a reading test and not considered as important as math. So retake optional. But I might skip it if he’s applying to schools requiring all scores because the others are so high.

NP again.

DS did almost no prep. Do schools see if you send a super score? Is it better to show one score that’s very strong, but not perfect, or a super score?

OP here. Glad you asked this. I was wondering the same. Also wondering if they look closely at the subscores or more at the main score.

The only place I have seen that discounts the importance of the Science section score is DCUM. It’s extremely important for most elite schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NP

DS is a Junior and got these scores:
Math - 36
Reading - 36
Verbal - 35
Science - 31

Overall, its a 35, but he wants to do CS and the STEM score is a 34. Retake, right? Or don't sweat it?

I wouldn’t sweat science like I would math. ACT Science is more of a reading test and not considered as important as math. So retake optional. But I might skip it if he’s applying to schools requiring all scores because the others are so high.

NP again.

DS did almost no prep. Do schools see if you send a super score? Is it better to show one score that’s very strong, but not perfect, or a super score?

OP here. Glad you asked this. I was wondering the same. Also wondering if they look closely at the subscores or more at the main score.

The only place I have seen that discounts the importance of the Science section score is DCUM. It’s extremely important for most elite schools.

Source? The CDS only reports sub scores for Math and English, which according to the Stanford study are the only two of the ACT sections that predict college success. ACT science isn’t like an SAT subject test. I’m aware of one Ivy having a SAT math score minimum for its STEM admits.

[Anonymous]

For MIT, their admissions data show their admits score lowest on Science of all four sections.

https://mitadmissions.org/apply/process/stats/

They have no preference between ACT and SAT, which has no science section.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NP

DS is a Junior and got these scores:
Math - 36
Reading - 36
Verbal - 35
Science - 31

Overall, its a 35, but he wants to do CS and the STEM score is a 34. Retake, right? Or don't sweat it?

I wouldn’t sweat science like I would math. ACT Science is more of a reading test and not considered as important as math. So retake optional. But I might skip it if he’s applying to schools requiring all scores because the others are so high.

NP again.

DS did almost no prep. Do schools see if you send a super score? Is it better to show one score that’s very strong, but not perfect, or a super score?

OP here. Glad you asked this. I was wondering the same. Also wondering if they look closely at the subscores or more at the main score.

The only place I have seen that discounts the importance of the Science section score is DCUM. It’s extremely important for most elite schools.

Source? The CDS only reports sub scores for Math and English, which according to the Stanford study are the only two of the ACT sections that predict college success. ACT science isn’t like an SAT subject test. I’m aware of one Ivy having a SAT math score minimum for its STEM admits.

Do you know what that min is?