Will an ACT essay become my worst nightmare?

Colleges & Universities Duke University
1

<p>So I gave the ACT yesterday (26th) and everything was fine until the essay…
I messed it up big time!!! i’ll be lucky if i get an 8+ score…</p>

<p>The problem is, i just learned that Duke reads the ACT essay for admission purposes and also compares it to our Common App essay.</p>

<p>i’m a good writer, it’s just that 30 mins isn’t really enough to produce something i’d be proud of, not to mention, i almost begged at the end of the essay (said please don’t do this) haha</p>

<p>and i definitely don’t want this essay compared to my common app essay, one that i have taken months to write and perfect, something that truly reflects my capability as a writer and my personality!</p>

<p>my question is, should i be worried about this? would a bad ACT essay possibly be the reason i get rejected? </p>

<p>im applying ED and i do think that i have a strong application…i’m expecting a 32+ in the ACT and am an international student with financial need.</p>

<p>All useful replys will be greatly appreciated!</p>

2

<p>Adcoms realize that the ACT essay is simply a snapshot of your writing abilities. If you took a picture of [fill in name of your favorite supermodel] when she woke up in the morning, it would look very different from her picture on the cover of Vogue, which in turn would be different from the papparazzi photo when she was leaving a restaurant. Each of these three photos will have been taken of the same person, but will each provide different information.</p>

<p>I’m guessing that an unflattering early morning photo would not be enough to cause most men to turn down a date with her. In fact, they are far more likely to remember the cover shot when thinking of her.</p>

3

<p>I understand your concern, however – realistically and obviously – there is nothing that can be done to alter either essay now.</p>

4

<p>I think I got a 9 on my ACT essay and got in. Obviously, it won’t compare to your Common App essay, but as long as you made a logical argument and supported it, you should be fine.</p>

<p>In the grand scheme of things, one part of the ACT won’t keep you out of Duke. So many students are qualified enough, its the extra things you do and who you are that will really help get you in.</p>