Hi, I have a 35 on my ACT with an average above that of pretty much every school on naviance, so my gpa is pretty high. However, I was just wondering what top schools (top 25) value high test scores over other parts of the application. I’ve heard that washu and Vanderbilt do. Thanks.
All schools like high test scores. The question is, what do they get you. At the most selective schools, you’ll be in the running, along with a bazillion others, for possible admission. At some privates trying to compete with very selective schools you might get admission and then significant merit aid. At even another set of schools, you might get a full ride. Lastly, at some, you’d get a full ride automatically. What is it you’re trying to achieve?
What school doesn’t like high test scores. It’s just that for top schools pretty much most of the applicants have high test scores so you need other things as well.
@perspectivestude One of the adcoms at Harvey Mudd came and spoke to a bunch of parents and she said that Harvey Mudd placed the highest value on test scores.
Stats alone won’t be enough for any tippy top holistic.
Nearly every app will include high scores. Plus accomplishments. And rigor/grades. And more.
Thanks. Obviously every aspect matters at top schools, but I’m just wondering which schools emphasize high test scores more.
None of them particularly advertise it. Sometimes adcom (such as the one that @JenJenJenJen mentioned) will say that test scores are weighted more or less heavily. Sometimes you can infer it- Vandy has been giving merit money for good test scores for a while now, to drive up their average. As @eyemgh noted, that score will get you a great ride at Alabama.
But the ones that are going to be most impressed by your 35 are probably not the ones that you are hoping will be impressed- they will likely be schools that you see as ‘beneath’ you. Remember that schools who emphasize high test scores are not be altruistic- they want your high scores to raise their average, making their student body look better, so more students apply. Higher average scores + higher % of rejections = higher USNWR ranking.
@perspectivestude, yes Wash U seems to target high test scores as well, but as every top-20 Uni and every top-20 LAC is seeing lots of 35 ACT applicants (you need to factor in that many superscore as well so add all the 34 and 35 scores together to gauge the likely total pool), you need to have other components of your application stand out to ensure you achieve your goal. My DD’s had 35 ACT’s and were denied at almost every top-10 Uni or LAC they applied to; once you drop to the next two tiers (10-20 and 20-30) it’s a more predictable path.
Schools whose test score rankings are above their overall USNews rankings, to the greatest degree, are places like:
- Harvey Mudd(~15 spots, LACs)
- Caltech (~10 spots)
- Vanderbilt (~10 spots)
- Wash U (~10 spots)
That’s off the top of my head. Compare the USNews U and LAC rankings to average SAT score rankings for additional examples.
Thanks!
Grades need to match, 35 ACT and a 3.0 GPA won’t get you anything, if fact its a big red flag. .
Right. 35 and nothing may not be worth the app fees to HM or, fergoshsakes, Caltech. Or WUSTL.
This is silly, empty. Not strategic.
I don’t have a 3.0 gpa. I have a 4.0 uw gpa, but so does like 10% of my class. I’m just asking what schools value test scores more than other schools. I’ve heard some of the liberal arts schools care less about them while tech schools care more.
You asked about top 25 and we’re being frank. All schools using the Common App agree to be holistic. And the most competitive can cherry pick among those who are most energized, in the right ways, right variety of ways.
Look at this: https://admission.princeton.edu/how-apply/admission-statistics 12.8% of those applying with 2300-2400 were admitted. At Stanford, 12% of the 800 CR kids, 8% of the 800 M’s. By no means a shoo-in. They want applicants to reach a bar and then they dig into what more you show. The very factors that make these schools desirable are, in fact, the “more” among their students.
The further you drop out of the top 25, the better the chance scores will be sufficient. But top schools pride themselves on the way their students are engaged in various ways, responsible ways,often visionary.
Some more info is required to give advice. First, what would you like to major in? I kind of assuming its engineering or CS?
I’m thinking of applying to college of arts and sciences to major in economics.
I’m not wondering what my chances are. I’m just wondering what schools value high test scores in comparison to other schools. Does anyone get what I mean? Sorry if I’m unclear.
Schools vary in the importance they place on test scores. Fortunately, each school reports this in the Common Data Set so you can look it up for each school on your list. Look for “Standardized Tests”, which will have a value of Very Important, Important, Considered, or Not Considered.
For example: http://www.collegedata.com/cs/data/college/college_pg02_tmpl.jhtml?schoolId=781
Very Important: Stanford, Princeton, Vanderbilt, WashU, UCLA
Important: Harvey Mudd, Bowdoin, Swarthmore, Middlebury
Good luck!