Peytoncline

i just got a 34 on my act, which is excellent for me since i want to go to northwestern... and i took the writing because they require it.... but.. i got a 7 on the writing... will this hurt me?

here are all of my act scores:

June 07 -- composite - 30, writing - 8
October 07 -- composite - 30, writing - 8
February 08 -- composite - 31, writing - 8
April 08 -- composite - 34, writing - 7

sat:

720 - math
650 - reading
700 - writing

2070 overall
(sat has always been harder for me than act for some reason)

8 on the writing (both times i took it.. these are my best scores bet/n the two tests also b/c my college counselor told me that all colleges [except the ivies] take the best of each section on the sat)

anyway, i'm taking the sat in june to see if i can get about a 2150 - 2200 +, so i'll see if that will give me a better writing

but, will the 7 hurt me anyway.. i mean my original english score was a 35, and the new combined english/writing score is a 31... so if they plug in the 31 to the mix instead of the 35 for english (if they do that.. i have no idea), then i stil have a 33 overall, despite the average writing score.. i'm just worried that it'll hurt me

gcnorth

A 34 ACT is great. Unless you want to major in a writing related field send that one only. They will see your grades (hopefully strong in English) and have a sample of your writing (the essay) to offset the writing component. Even if you get a 2200 SAT it doesn't compare to the ACT 34

Peytoncline

i'm not going into any english/writing field, so you don't think the 7 will hurt?

2pacaintdead

I talked to an admissions guy (I don't remember his title, just that NU pays him to talk to kids about admissions) and he told me that they don't even consider your writing scores. They just want your writing scores for the future if they start considering these scores or something.

kcooper24

Yeah don't worry...I got in with a 33 ACT and an 8 on writing. I do not think they really care too much about it.

WCASParent

I think the 34 on the ACT is great; much better than the current SAT score.
I would not send all the ACT scores because seeing that you took it 4 times diminishes the impressiveness of the 34. One of the great things about the ACT is that you can send only your best score, while once you send any SAT score, all of them go.
By the way, NU does not "superscore" the SAT (at least I don't think they have up until now), so it has been an exception to the general practice mentioned by your college counselor.

Peytoncline

thanks for all the responses

evidently the 7 isn't too big of an issue

Ephemeral2

Sweet. I love midwest schools for appreciating the ACT. I got a 36, and it gives me hope.