31 ACT good enough for Hopkins or UChicago?

<p>Long Version-
Johns Hopkins and the University of Chicago are my dream schools and I don’t know if a 31 on the ACT is enough. I feel like I have to make a decision in which I can make the test score part of my application look very different. I cannot take the ACT again in June because I may be busy that day (plus I’d throw up before I took the ACT a 3rd time in 1 month), so my only option would be to study over the summer and retake it the beginning of my senior year. The other choice would be to study for 3 SAT Subjects test over the summer and test them next year. I think that I could pull a 34+ on the ACT if I did that, or I could get near perfect scores of the Subjects tests. But I will be so busy this summer that I doubt I could do both. </p>

<p>Short version-
Which do you think would look better on my college application: a 31 on the ACT and 3 750+ SAT Subjects tests /OR/ a 34+ on the ACT and no Subjects tests.</p>

<p>The middle 50% of ACT scores for U Chicago admitted students is 29-34, so a 31 is in the range.</p>

<p>31 is dangerous territory for those schools…33 should be the target.</p>

<p>Subject tests depend on what you are applying for?</p>

<p>So, is there that big of a difference between a 31 and a 33? Wouldn’t having a few subject tests be better?</p>

<p>The difference between 31 and 33 is massive. Subject testas may be required as well, so that is a separate discussion.</p>

<p>Who to listen to, who to listen to…hmmm</p>

<p>Before you listen to anyone, do you know what subject tests are required by the schools and are there any that would be particularly advantageous for your major. Never mind how busy you are planning to be this summer, if you want to get into Chicago or Hopkins, you don’t want to sit on a 31 ACT…</p>

<p>Your score is by no means fatal, but it is low. To make your dream schools a reality, I recommend getting it up.</p>

<p>I want to major in Biology and minor in possibly English. I’m taking the Biology test in June (I know I have 800 on that). And I want to take Chemistry, Spanish, and Math 2 next year. </p>

<p>UChicago:</p>

<p>“We do not require any SAT Subject Tests.”</p>

<p>Johns Hopkins: </p>

<p>“The SAT Reasoning Test or the ACT with Writing Test is required. Up to three SAT subject tests are recommended.”</p>

<p>So you need to be a little less “busy” this summer. Don’t rely on a 31 ACT for those schools.</p>

<p>“Who to listen to, who to listen to…hmmm”</p>

<p>I actually agree with everything Objective and glassesarechic said. A 31 is in the range, though it’s not going to help you. Although Chicago does not require subject tests, I would make sure to submit them anyway.</p>

<p>A 31 ACT will not help you or hurt you. A 33 ACT might give you a slight boost. A 35 or 36 ACT will give you a significant boost.</p>

<p>Schools don’t report subject tests for ranking purposes. They report SAT / ACT scores. So, the higher, the better.</p>

<p>UChicago is one of the few schools that places much more emphasis on factors OTHER than test scores. I’m told that things like the essay and character are far more important.</p>

<p>:/ I guess I’ll retake it June 12 for the last time. And I’ll study everyday after AP’s are over.</p>

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<p>Actually, though UChic does emphasize essays more than most schools, this doesn’t mean that they deemphasize test scores, especially as the competition for admission increases (40% increase in apps this year!).</p>

<p>31 i think is on the low end, but then again SAT subject tests may be equally as important. And i dont mean to sound negative, but incase these two schools dont work out, its always better to be able to apply to other schools and many other schools like to see up to 3 SAT subject tests. if i were you i think i would take the subject tests and perform well on them.
and for uchicago, i think the essay is EXTREMELY important. i did not have the greatest gpa or test scores or anything particularly outstanding, but my essay i wrote sounded extremely quirky and just strange. i think that was one of the main reasons i was offered admission there. idk if this changes anything, but its always good to take into consideration.</p>

<p>good luck with your standardized testing.</p>