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10-25-2012, 04:45 PM
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#1 | | New Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 21
| What is a good ACT math score for an engineer?
I'll be entering Rose-Hulman next year and I currently have a 30 on the ACT math, which is below the median of 32. I'm doing well in calculus AB right now but I'm wondering if my 30 is indicative of future success in the field. What did some of you all get when you were applying to college? (I haven't actually taken an SAT, but I've done about three full math exams from previous SATs and got about 700-720 on them if anyone wanted that score for comparison purposes.)
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10-25-2012, 05:11 PM
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#2 | | Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 197
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My parents are both engineers and neither has used any high level math since they started their engineering careers 25+ years. My dad is an electrical engineer (in factory automation) and my mom is a computer engineer (in software). So calculus is something you just need to get through it college, not something you will use everyday. Now I am sure there are fields of engineering were you do use high level math but not all of them.
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10-25-2012, 05:34 PM
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#3 | | Member
Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Raleigh, NC State '14
Posts: 412
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The university did not accept you because they think you will fail. There is your indicator.
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10-25-2012, 05:53 PM
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#4 | | Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 212
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At my school, the ACT math minimum requirement for engineering is 24. To me, wherever your school sets the bar is what is good enough.
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10-25-2012, 07:13 PM
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#5 | | New Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 21
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That doesn't make any sense because no university has denied me at this point, Chucktown. Thanks JonJohn and engineerisme.
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10-25-2012, 07:17 PM
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#6 | | Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 88
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Your success in Calculus AB is a better predictor of your future success than is your ACT math score of "only" 30. A 30 is a very, very high score, as you know.
If the median score at Rose Hulman is 32, you had what, maybe one or two more wrong answers on the test than the average student at Rose Hulman? One 45-minute test is not a great indicator of your potential for success in engineering.
Like Chucktown said, if Rose Hulman accepts you or has accepted you, they think you can handle their curriculum. They are certainly not one of those schools with a shortage of applicants that needs to take anyone.
By the way, the 2011 data (the last year I could find) indicated that the math ACT 25th and 75th percentile range at Rose Hulman was 28 / 34. That means that 25% of the kids there scored 28 or lower on the math ACT, at least of those who entered in 2011.
Last edited by EarthPig; 10-25-2012 at 07:23 PM.
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10-25-2012, 07:24 PM
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#7 | | Member
Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Raleigh, NC State '14
Posts: 412
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That doesn't make any sense because no university has denied me at this point, Chucktown.
| Exactly my point. Schools would not accept someone without a chance. Quote: |
Like Chucktown said, if Rose Hulman accepts you or has accepted you, they think you can handle their curriculum. They are certainly not one of those schools with a shortage of applicants that needs to take anyone.
| Points to EarthPig!
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10-25-2012, 08:10 PM
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#8 | | New Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
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Chuck, sorry I didn't understand what you said; I responded to you about 30 seconds after I woke up from a nap so I was a bit out of it. And thanks a lot Earthpig.
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10-25-2012, 10:03 PM
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#9 | | Member
Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Raleigh, NC State '14
Posts: 412
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No problem John, You have a great score. I scored a 650 Math SAT when I took it in 2004, I have received an A in all the maths required for engineering: Calc 1-3, DiffEQ, Stats, and so on. It really comes down to the 80/20 rule. 20% ability, 80% work ethic.
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10-25-2012, 10:15 PM
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#10 | | New Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 21
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Ah okay. I've browsed the engineering majors forum for awhile and I think I recall that you have/had a high (3.8 ish?) GPA at a very good university, so that is comforting that it's possible without a 36/800 as long as you have a strong work ethic. Anyway, thanks a lot everyone who answered here; I'm very excited to begin engineering next year.
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10-26-2012, 01:16 AM
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#11 | | Junior Member
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 292
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Neither SAT or ACT are as predictive of collegiate success as high school GPA and subject tests. Many students who are advanced in math underperform on ACT/SAT because the test covers a level that is a year or two or even three in the past from where they are now. You'll be fine. Work hard!
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10-26-2012, 01:34 AM
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#12 | | Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 548
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Lolwut, median of 32? The national averGe for the test itself is 21.
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10-26-2012, 05:25 PM
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#13 | | New Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 21
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Median of 32 at Rose-Hulman.. I'm aware of the national average.
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10-27-2012, 01:18 PM
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#14 | | Junior Member
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 292
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Average SAT score however is 680 which corresponds approximately to a 30 on the ACT. Even more importantly, is the 25th percentile. They are students, who like you, wouldn't have been admitted if RHIT didn't think they'd succeed. ACT 25th was 28 in 2011. SAT was 630 (converts to ACT 28). You will be fine. Work hard. Have fun.
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12-05-2012, 04:42 PM
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#15 | | Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 144
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john14563,
We're confident that if you continue to work hard, you will be successful here. It's a clean slate for everyone once you're here. Let me know if you have any questions.
Jared Goulding
Associate Director of Admissions
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
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