Anonymous wrote:This board gives me whiplash. I just finished reading at least three posts that any high stats kids has no shot at getting into top schools with perfect scores and how every responder’s kid had 35 or 36 and got into only their safeties.

This board made it sound like a 34 could possibly hurt and the guide books were not to be trusted. So forgive me for being confused.

The reason it's confusing is because admissions is a crap shoot. A 34 is a fantastic score, but there are also thousands of kids who get perfect ACT scores (and SAT scores) each year and that doesn't guarantee admission into a USNWR Top X anything. Withholding a 34 to go test optional against kids who submit a 35 or a 36 isn't a good plan.

A 34 ACT is 99th percentile (not 96th). It is helpful but not decisive for every school in the country. GPA and rigor are more important, though still not decisive anywhere.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sorry, I wasn’t clear. He is looking at schools where a 34 is mid range (33-35). So a 34 is right in the middle. So that would be a situation where score should not hurt (but probably also not help). Am I thinking about that correctly?

Thanks.

Oh I get it now. Yes, a 34 shouldn't hurt his chances anywhere. Those top schools (top 30 or so) admission is less stats driven so unless he brings other factors/hooks, good stats are really nonevermind kinda thing...

Thank you. That is what I hoping I guess- that I 34 would be worth submitting to get the app in the pile to be considered, so to speak.

Yes. Both can be true. A 34 (or 35-36) is high enough to be considered, but it can also be almost impossible to get into the most competitive schools. A 34 will buy you a lottery ticket.

I'd even say it's far worse than buying a lottery ticket. From probability standpoint, getting lottery tickets allows higher chance of getting in since you are increasing your chance of getting picked. Admission is totally different, IMHO, that adcom "screens" your ticket and make up or down decisions. You read about kids who got into all Ivies/S/M every year. If true lottery, that's not possible to happen.

Well, yes. The playing field is not level. The “lottery ticket” is for the competition with similarly situated students (e.g., white, non-legacy, non-first gen white males, etc).

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sorry, I wasn’t clear. He is looking at schools where a 34 is mid range (33-35). So a 34 is right in the middle. So that would be a situation where score should not hurt (but probably also not help). Am I thinking about that correctly?

Thanks.

Oh I get it now. Yes, a 34 shouldn't hurt his chances anywhere. Those top schools (top 30 or so) admission is less stats driven so unless he brings other factors/hooks, good stats are really nonevermind kinda thing...

Thank you. That is what I hoping I guess- that I 34 would be worth submitting to get the app in the pile to be considered, so to speak.

Yes. Both can be true. A 34 (or 35-36) is high enough to be considered, but it can also be almost impossible to get into the most competitive schools. A 34 will buy you a lottery ticket.

I'd even say it's far worse than buying a lottery ticket. From probability standpoint, getting lottery tickets allows higher chance of getting in since you are increasing your chance of getting picked. Admission is totally different, IMHO, that adcom "screens" your ticket and make up or down decisions. You read about kids who got into all Ivies/S/M every year. If true lottery, that's not possible to happen.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sorry, I wasn’t clear. He is looking at schools where a 34 is mid range (33-35). So a 34 is right in the middle. So that would be a situation where score should not hurt (but probably also not help). Am I thinking about that correctly?

Thanks.

Oh I get it now. Yes, a 34 shouldn't hurt his chances anywhere. Those top schools (top 30 or so) admission is less stats driven so unless he brings other factors/hooks, good stats are really nonevermind kinda thing...

Thank you. That is what I hoping I guess- that I 34 would be worth submitting to get the app in the pile to be considered, so to speak.

Yes. Both can be true. A 34 (or 35-36) is high enough to be considered, but it can also be almost impossible to get into the most competitive schools. A 34 will buy you a lottery ticket.

I think he should definitely submit it. In the middle of their range is very impressive and respectable. If he didn't submit it, they could assume he had a much lower score.

My DD's superstore was 33 and she is extremely proud of it. It's on the lower end of the 25%-75% range for one school where she is applying, so perhaps she shouldn't submit it there, but she is planning to because she feels good about having earned that score, as she should.

For stem, it depends on the math score. Should equate to at least 715 on SAT but preferably above 750 for very top programs.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sorry, I wasn’t clear. He is looking at schools where a 34 is mid range (33-35). So a 34 is right in the middle. So that would be a situation where score should not hurt (but probably also not help). Am I thinking about that correctly?

Thanks.

Oh I get it now. Yes, a 34 shouldn't hurt his chances anywhere. Those top schools (top 30 or so) admission is less stats driven so unless he brings other factors/hooks, good stats are really nonevermind kinda thing...

Thank you. That is what I hoping I guess- that I 34 would be worth submitting to get the app in the pile to be considered, so to speak.

Anonymous wrote:Gtfo. An ACT score of 34 is in the 96th percentile and is roughly equivalent to a 1500. Just submit it. If you’re so concerned then have them retake for a 35 or 36. Jeez.

Also, not concerned at all. My child will go to college because he wants to. I am just trying to understand the range of schools he should be considering.

Anonymous wrote:Sorry, I wasn’t clear. He is looking at schools where a 34 is mid range (33-35). So a 34 is right in the middle. So that would be a situation where score should not hurt (but probably also not help). Am I thinking about that correctly?

Thanks.

Oh I get it now. Yes, a 34 shouldn't hurt his chances anywhere. Those top schools (top 30 or so) admission is less stats driven so unless he brings other factors/hooks, good stats are really nonevermind kinda thing...

This board gives me whiplash. I just finished reading at least three posts that any high stats kids has no shot at getting into top schools with perfect scores and how every responder’s kid had 35 or 36 and got into only their safeties.

This board made it sound like a 34 could possibly hurt and the guide books were not to be trusted. So forgive me for being confused.

Sorry, I wasn’t clear. He is looking at schools where a 34 is mid range (33-35). So a 34 is right in the middle. So that would be a situation where score should not hurt (but probably also not help). Am I thinking about that correctly?

Thanks.

Gtfo. An ACT score of 34 is in the 96th percentile and is roughly equivalent to a 1500. Just submit it. If you’re so concerned then have them retake for a 35 or 36. Jeez.

Anonymous wrote:My kid is reading up on colleges and trying to figure out where his 34 ACT score places him. If you read most guides, a 34 is smack in the middle of most top colleges. Assuming a 34 doesn’t help you at a top 30 school but it shouldn’t hurt if it is the 50%? He could also not submit at test optional places if it would be a problem.

Thanks for the advice.

I am sorry but I am having a hard time understanding what you are asking. 50% of what? Sorry... I need more coffee maybe.

My kid is reading up on colleges and trying to figure out where his 34 ACT score places him. If you read most guides, a 34 is smack in the middle of most top colleges. Assuming a 34 doesn’t help you at a top 30 school but it shouldn’t hurt if it is the 50%? He could also not submit at test optional places if it would be a problem.

Thanks for the advice.