It is UW
If I were to get a 33, would I stand significantly better?
Apply… But make sure to have target and safety schools that you like and can afford.
Take a look at each reach school’s CDS and see where ACT 32 and ACT 33 stand. At schools where you’re unhooked, you’d want to be above 50th percentile. I’d retake ACT and try to improve on the score. A superscored 33 shouldn’t be very difficult.
If you have the time and desire to retake the ACT, then by all means do it. Keep in mind, however, that your reach schools will still be reaches even with a higher ACT. That’s why it’s so important to find target schools that you like.
In my opinion, your targets look great (UVA a reach). If you really want engineering, get rid of schools without it. If you do not have a 33 you can probably forget about Duke, NW, Dartmouth, and maybe Vanderbilt and Wash U. Then make sure to work on your target apps first, visit those schools and have really great “why _______” essays. Next, delve into your Reaches applications from most likely to least likely. The sooner you start your essays the better! If you like Vandy and Wash U, consider Rice which might be slightly more realistic and similar in some ways.
Thanks everyone- I decided to throw out Northwestern. I’ll take a look at Rice too- if I like it I’ll probably replace Vandy with it.
Oh, and is legacy not a hook?
My guess is that your double legacy is a hook at Duke if it boils down to you and another applicant, but it is not a guarantee … at all… and right now your ACT is on the low side for your reaches (although still good). My friend’s child was rejected from Duke last year with similar stats and a double legacy. My other friends daughter was waitlisted to Duke with a 2350 SAT. And… Another friend’s son had a 36 ACT and a fabulous interview at Tufts… and was rejected. My daughters friend was rejected from Tufts with a 33.
You are focusing on reach schools… they are reaches for a reason. Do you have any safety and target schools that you would be happy attending? Can you apply ED someplace?
Legacy status is typically most beneficial if you apply ED.
I don’t have stats for Dartmouth, but here’s Duke’s breakdown from last year courtesy of a Duke poster:
Union College might be another good match. I think being from Maine can help if you find schools you like in the midwest and south that don’t get many applications from your state.
I would be perfectly happy at Lehigh, Boulder, or UW. And yes, I can apply ED, I just haven’t really picked where yet, as I have not visited Duke or Dartmouth(headed down this weekend to paddle with the outing club).
Oh, and I’m not sure if this helps, but the research institute that I work at is directly correlated with the Tufts Med School…
ED may help you…depending. And… I am glad to see that you have some other schools. Don’t treat Lehigh as a safety or match… It’s not. Visit and make sure your essays are very good.
Which reaches that I have am I most likely to get into? (rank from most likely to least)