Do I have a low ACT score? (How can I improve?)

[Sampia]

Don't forget cross-town schools. My DS did not apply at UofM. With his 3.7 GPA and 27 ACT, chances were he wouldn't have been accepted, but his main reason was they did not have the degree he wanted. He did not want computer engineering. He wanted Information Assurance/cyber-security. Aspects of that really appeal to him, forensics, investigative work, etc. Eastern Michigan University is no where on par with UofM, but he will walk out with his degree and will be an officer in the USMC (unless something unforeseeable happens). Plus, since was a side-load scholarship winner, the two years he went on his/our own dime was softened by scholarships awarded by the university. Not to mention less costly tuition.

 

[cb7893]

Just goes to show there is more than one way to skin a cat.

I'll tell you one thing. Those folks in Ann Arbor think they're all that a bag of chips!

 

[DJA]

Average Composite ACT scores. Looks like Ga Tech, UNC Chapel Hill, and Michigan all have about the same composite scores averaging about a 30 ACT for the midpoint. Tech obviously has higher math aptitude students while Michigan is a bit higher than UNC in math scores but lower in English ACT scores. These are the 25th and 75th percentiles meaning if your composite ACT was 28 you are in the lower quarter of all scores for those admitted.

Top Public University ACT Score Comparison (mid 50%)

Composite English Math
25% 75% 25% 75% 25% 75%

Georgia Tech 28 32 28 33 29 34
University of Michigan 28 32 27 31 28 34
UNC Chapel Hill 28 32 28 34 27 33

http://collegeapps.about.com/od/theact/a/ACT_Top_Public.htm

 

[Michael R.]

Average Composite ACT scores. Looks like Ga Tech, UNC Chapel Hill, and Michigan all have about the same composite scores averaging about a 30 ACT for the midpoint. Tech obviously has higher math aptitude students while Michigan is a bit higher than UNC in math scores but lower in English ACT scores. These are the 25th and 75th percentiles meaning if your composite ACT was 28 you are in the lower quarter of all scores for those admitted.

Top Public University ACT Score Comparison (mid 50%)

Composite English Math
25% 75% 25% 75% 25% 75%

Georgia Tech 28 32 28 33 29 34
University of Michigan 28 32 27 31 28 34
UNC Chapel Hill 28 32 28 34 27 33

http://collegeapps.about.com/od/theact/a/ACT_Top_Public.htm

If I retake the ACT, and I get a 30 or above will I be in good standing? Also, are my scores okay or average for NROTC scholarship? Should I go for marine as well? I'm very committed to the navy but I was thinking I could switch over midway. I want to have 4 years of rotc.

 

[Michael R.]

NROTC, impo is probably the hardest/most competitive of all of the branches to get a scholarship.

It is also important to understand that admissions will rejig your cgpa to their algorithm. Many old posters like me, pay no heed to your cgpa because we know this.
~ There are over 2K HS in the nation. 3.95 means very little without what is also included in your sealed transcripts.
~~ 3.95 cgpa or wcgpa? If wcgpa out of what 4.5, 5.0 or 6.0.
~~ 3.95 cgpa, but is it on a 7 point or 10 point scale

They will also include your class rank. Top 15% and 25% go Ivy looks differently to them than top 15% and 0% go Ivy. One says to them that the school is competitive and does not hand out A's like xmas presents. The other says something different.

I am always baffled how kids can have such good gpa's and score low on standardized tests.

I worked in the educational field for several years where the EOGS (gateway tests...3/5/8/10 and exit) were given annually. Such a high discrepancy in scores would throw up red flags to teachers.

My thing is the test anxiety issue for some of these students. I know NC, and VA do these EOG/SOL exams at gateway years. Plus, if the kid has taken multiple APs, they will also traditionally take the AP exam. I am not saying the anxiety does not exist. I am just saying that what you hear all the time in the educational world is they are teaching the test. These kids are tested via standardize/time test constantly compared to what we did as parents when we were in HS. I do not want to start a firestorm or divert the thread. I am just wishing we would stop the gateway program. Part of the reason why is I think it also created test anxiety for some of our kids. (Fail the practice and they get additional academic instruction out of the classroom...not a confidence builder there). Plus, most states still have parental rights. In essence, it means the folks can say promote them even if they fail the EOG/SOL, thus what good did all of this do in the long run?

To answer your question, 3.95 is on the universal 4.0 scale I found online. On my scale, my GPA is 3.75 but the scale is very strict, a 93 is considered a 3.6. I am top 8% of my class. I have taken 10+ AP classes.

 

[kinnem]

You can only apply for Navy Option or Marine Option. You cannot apply for both.