Thank you all for the support. It's a little hard to stomach when you put so much effort, feel like you did better...and in all reality didn't improve much.
I did actually sign up for this Saturdays ACT. in the western states, it seems less popular...and that may be the reason I have not invested in this test over the SAT.
I am okay-ish in academics, top 10-12% and a gpa (unwtd 3.48) with a 5 AP class schedule, and my ecs are very very strong. I am hoping that I can raise these scores to bump my academic composite a little bit.
Since sophmore year, I turned my 2.8 gpa to a 3.48, my class rank from top 40% to top 10%, got active in clubs, academy summer seminars,varsity sports...to over a thousand volunteer and leadership hours...to gold awards and high scoring cfas.
I didn't change to increase my chances at going to an academy. I changed because I realized my goals were above just being "average". It was a reverse causation of sorts.
(kind of had an epiphany as I was typing this) All of this typing to say one thing:
I have worked to hard to fall short on this. If any academy or school is aware of my determination and effort,and still decides to reject me due to standardized testing...their loss. But I am
not about to give up,failure is not an option!
I really do appreciate the pep talk. One wild coaster ride for sure, and sometimes you need a little push to keep going. In the terms of cross country, it's a marathon, not a sprint.
Thank you all!