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Worth retaking ACT for Harvard? Got 35 Composite Already
PhillyBale
4 replies4 threads New Member
Hi all,
I am a rising senior planning on applying early action to Harvard. I took the ACT once in February and got a 35 composite and am 99th percentile. Score breakdown below:
English:36
Math:31
Reading:36
Science:35
The only score I am not sure about is the math score, although it is in the 96th percentile. I have been following the Harvard v. SFFA case and in the face of the current evidence against Harvard, am questioning whether retaking and getting a 36 may be countetproductive and show I am "privileged". Also wondering if, in general, bringing up the math score will make any difference for admission to other prestigious universities, even though I do not plan on going into engineering at all.
11 repliesI am a rising senior planning on applying early action to Harvard. I took the ACT once in February and got a 35 composite and am 99th percentile. Score breakdown below:
English:36
Math:31
Reading:36
Science:35
The only score I am not sure about is the math score, although it is in the 96th percentile. I have been following the Harvard v. SFFA case and in the face of the current evidence against Harvard, am questioning whether retaking and getting a 36 may be countetproductive and show I am "privileged". Also wondering if, in general, bringing up the math score will make any difference for admission to other prestigious universities, even though I do not plan on going into engineering at all.
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Replies to: Worth retaking ACT for Harvard? Got 35 Composite Already
I guess in your shoes I would consider your potential major. Other options could be trying the SAT 1 or 2, to show competency in math (31 is, of course, more than competitive.) Befor deciding though, check Harvard’s website and see if they require all test scores, or all sittings of the ACT or SAT.
Remember of course that the odds are not in your favor, so if yiu don’t get in, it’s highly unlikely that it will be due to a 31 in the math section of the ACT.
They look at subscores. But switching to a humanities major because you're sub is higher there likely won't fool them, if the ECs and other aren't there.
It's a tough decision. Are all your grades strong (not just UW gpa) and rigorous courses? Can your GC advise?
Perhaps I'm an outlier, but I would say it's unnecessary to retake.