ACT super score of 33 - retake or good enough?

[Anonymous]

My understanding is that if the average is 34, but the range is 33-35 (25% percentile to 75% percentile), then a 33 would be just fine provided the rest of the applications is strong. A 33 would show validity to a strong GPA and that kid can do the work. Maybe I'm wrong...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My understanding is that if the average is 34, but the range is 33-35 (25% percentile to 75% percentile), then a 33 would be just fine provided the rest of the applications is strong. A 33 would show validity to a strong GPA and that kid can do the work. Maybe I'm wrong...

It all turns on the expectations of the institution to which your child is applying to. For example, the median at both UVA and W&M reported having a 34 ACT last year. This is what the students who actually showed up reported. The statistics of the accepted class are higher. And indeed both W&M and UVA report 35s for the 75th percentile of students who showed up last year. An unhooked kid applying to such schools should be submitting GPAs and test scores at the 75th percentile or above. If you are applying to Ivies, elite slacs, etc., you need to know the stats of the applicant pool. Talk to your high school counselor. Many would say don't submit a 33 for the elite schools. But a 33 for the second tier is a good move. Your counselor can advise you. There were many threads this year about students being told not to submit 33s for top schools.

[Anonymous]

Top schools meaning what? Those that have an average of 33 or above?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My understanding is that if the average is 34, but the range is 33-35 (25% percentile to 75% percentile), then a 33 would be just fine provided the rest of the applications is strong. A 33 would show validity to a strong GPA and that kid can do the work. Maybe I'm wrong...

It all turns on the expectations of the institution to which your child is applying to. For example, the median at both UVA and W&M reported having a 34 ACT last year. This is what the students who actually showed up reported. The statistics of the accepted class are higher. And indeed both W&M and UVA report 35s for the 75th percentile of students who showed up last year. An unhooked kid applying to such schools should be submitting GPAs and test scores at the 75th percentile or above. If you are applying to Ivies, elite slacs, etc., you need to know the stats of the applicant pool. to your high school counselor. Many would say don't submit a 33 for the elite schools. But a 33 for the second tier is a good move. Your counselor can advise you. There were many threads this year about students being told not to submit 33s for top schools.

Stale advice this year. If it’s your best score, submit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:the only way I'd have her retake is if you can get a tutor for math to bring that up. I pushed my DD to retake after she had a 33 for all the reasons cited above but her score went way down!

OP here - that’s why I’m inclined to just leave well enough alone. Maybe that one additional point could make a material difference but to get there is unlikely. Two times and math went from 27 to 29. And that’s with a tutor.

If your DS is inclined to submit the 33, choose colleges where that score is in the 75th percentile ( check CDS). He'll be fine.

Depends on where gpa is….all related. Not a vacuum as so many on here like to believe.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DH's cousin used to work in college admissions at two highly selective schools:

"We divide up by scores. So let's say ACT - 35/36 go into a pile, then 34, then 33. Blah blah."

OP, as you can see, that puts your DC in the third pile before even read.

This isn’t relevant at most selective schools who don’t get many applicants with 36/35 scores. At the tippy top, sure.

OP here again. Seems like there's a big difference between a 33 and 34. The 33 is a super score. Both actual tests were 32s. Doesn't seem probable a 3rd time would generate a 34 either on the test itself or by super score. But maybe it's worth a 3rd try?

Is your kid motivated to take it again? Since the scores varied, it seems possible to get a 33 in the next sitting IF they can do their best on all sections. A 34 seems unlikely.

FWIW, my kid took it twice and got a 33 both times. Was hoping for a 34 the second time and was frustrated cuz they were so close. But after taking it twice with the same score, decided they were done. And got into a top 20 LAC (first choice) with the score.