The Zinch Report

about dressing the part.... i'm going on this tour at a college, i dont know if i'll get an actual interview, but i want to be prepared. My dilemma is that right after the tour i'm going on vacation and i dont want to be stuck in my nice clothes for another 2 hours (it takes 2 hours to get to the college in the first place). because i'm not sure whether or not I'm getting an actual interview, would a really nice pair of jeans or short and a nice shirt work?

I was just wondering about how admissions officers view ACT scores. I got a 29 composite score on my ACT and am wondering how colleges react to that. I only took it once and am also curious as to whether I should go ahead and take it again. How high is truly high enough to possibly be eligible for full tuition scholarships at an out-of-state college?

Ashley -

The key to dressing for a college interview is to look nice, be comfortable and confident in what you're wearing. Wherever you're going after or coming from before is almost irrelevant for purposes of the interview. The interviewer will not know or care about your circumstances - he or she will only know how you present for the time you spend together in the interview itself. Your focus on that day is on the interview and you should do whatever you think is appropriate to maximize your chances for having a good one.
You can always duck into a bathroom and change clothes before or after, but there are also plenty of options that are comfortable to wear and still appropriate for an interview. You need to decide for yourself which is better - dressing up a little and having to change after the interview (or dress nice for the rest of the day) or be able to seamlessly go into vacation mode in your casual clothes. I'd unequivocably opt for the former, even if there's a chance you may not have an interview. That said, and since I don't know what your wardrobe is like, shorts and a nice shirt may be ok but it totally depends on what the shorts and top are like. I obviously can't tell so use your instincts (and maybe some parental advice).
Clothes aside, I would suggest you call the college to see whether there will be interviews just to be completely prepared.

Shannon -

There's no easy answer to your question about how high is truly high enough. This actually ends up being a good thing. You wouldn't want blanket rules and categorical decisions based on a test score alone. Your ACT score is just one of the many factors that influence college admissions officers and it will be viewed in the broader context of your application.
It's also impossible to say how a college will react to a 29 because, to some colleges, that score is well above their averages. To other schools, that score is below their average. And even a 29 is within the range of averages, that still doesn't tell you much about whether you'll be admitted or not.
I'd suggest that if you think you can improve your score, go for it. It doesn't hurt. If you are satisfied with a 29, be proud. It's a great score.
You may want to check with colleges to see how they treat scores if you take a test more than once. Some schools average your scores, some take the highest score. If a college only views the best scores you have, this obviously incentivizes you to take it multiple times. If they average, it's a little riskier.

Hi,

I have my eye on this one college that I particularly like but it's a highly selective college. Because of that, I fear that my ACT score is too low, even for their average maybe (i don't know), 24. I really like this college but I don't know what to do about the ACT score. I have taken other ACT tests previously and have gotten 23 and 24. I think my ACT score will put me to disadvantage. I have also taken many AP and honor courses in high school and done numerous extra- and community services. I am basically in the honor program at my high school. I think the biggest impact on an admission officer is the ACT score and that's where I'm the weakest. What should I do? Should I get an interview and explain to them why I have a bad ACT score and etc? Will that help me or make me look bad? Should I keep trying to get a better score? If yes, then how? I have tried studying online and a book. Nothing works for me! I can't concentrate enough to actually take all four parts of it at once. What should I do? Please any advice is greatly appreciated. :-)

Thanks. I know that the ACT score isn't the only thing considered, but, coming from the school that I am, it really means a lot. My high school is in a town with 381 people (yet we have 400 students...funny) and is often considered to be below average in the state regarding what they have to offer. There has been many honor students in the past that were completely unprepared for college simply because Maynard doesn't offer all of the advanced courses that we really need. I'm almost certain that colleges in the area are aware of this and a simple background check on the school would make it obvious to others. I just feel like my whole life hinges on the ACT because, essentially, my having a 4.0 GPA all through school doesn't really mean that much...:(

Vishal -

You bring up good questions. Unfortunately, there are no concrete answers. One thing to keep focused on is that, as the Zinch site says many times over, you are more than a test score - much more! Colleges know this, as well. Instead of focusing on ways to explain or address your test scores, set your sights on highlighting your strengths.
You ask if you should explain "why" you have the score you do. If there is a compelling reason, that can not be overcome by retaking the test, state it briefly in an attachment to your application. Do not focus on it in an interview because, if your interviewer is good at what s/he does, s/he will not ask questions about test scores during that time. The interview is a chance to talk about your passions, your interests, your goals - certainly not your test scores.
Draw too much attention to a weakness in your test scores and you will only be distracting the admissions officer from your other strengths.
If you decide to retake the ACT consider meeting with your guidance counselor to consider new strategies for studying. There are resources out there. Unfortunately, I can't tell you how to bring a score up without having comprehensive knowledge of your study habits, academic strengths and weaknesses.
Personally, I always struggled with standardized tests until I found successful study strategies that worked for me. Then, with lots of studying, repetition, memorization and practice tests I brought my scores up. Find out what works for you with the help of people who know you well.
I will correct one assumption you made in your comment. The standardized test score is not what has the biggest impact on an admissions officer. Usually, your grades, class rank and course of study mean more than a test score to colleges.
That said, the most selective schools get to be very picky with which students they choose, so a low test score can be damaging. At this stage, keep this highly selective school on your list but make sure that you've got other, less selective schools in there as well. It's always good to have a mixture of schools that are "reaches" as well as those that are "safeties."

Sarah,

Thanks a lot for your reports, they are extremelly interesting and I think they will help me a lot for future processes. I notice many students are asking about the ACT scores, personally I have only taken the SAT. In your opinion, is it important to take both and present both scores on the application even if the colleges Im applying to only requires one? Will that increase my chances of getting in? My dream college is Yale, but I dont know if my SAT score is to low for them (I got 1720 including writing), what do you think? Would they take in consideration me being an international student? Thank you!!

Andrea -

Taking both the SAT and ACT will not help your chances of getting in if a school only asks for one. I've never heard of a school asking for both because they're basically interchangeable tests. If you want to retake the same test, go for it. If you want to try the ACT in addition to the SAT (or vice versa) in hopes of getting a higher score, feel free. But there's no need to take both just to try to impress colleges. They won't care. They just want to see scores that are as high as possible, so try your best to get high scores in whatever test you take.
Many colleges will want you to take some SAT IIs in addition to either the SAT or the ACT. Check with each individual college to find out what they require.

Sarah-

To get an interview, do you have to call the admissions officer and arrange one? Or do they see your application, and before their final decision, do they call you in for an interview?

Sarah,
I was just wondering, when is the best time to schedule an interview. I live a little over an hour from my top choice school and I think I would do well in an interview so would like to schedule one. My only dilemma is I'm not sure when to schedule one. I'm applying for early action so will send in my application in about a month and a half. Should I wait until my application is going to be processed or before when I go for my tour?

For everyone asking questions about how high is high enough, and how low is too low - especially when you have a specific school in mind, like Yale - it might be helpful to check out the Insiders' Guide to Colleges and other like books. Most of them have prioritized lists of what that college looks at, and in which order (like if GPA and essays are equally considered), and they all have the middle 50% of test scores for the most recent year's incoming freshman class, which gives a good guideline.

Also, check out the websites. Most colleges and universities are very thorough with their discussion of scores and importance of essays online, and if your question isn't answered, you can always write to the admissions office.

Hope that helps.

SAT 590 math 750 Read 670 essay GPA 3.7 in Hong Kong as exchange student for Senior year HS what are my chaces of selective school. I can also speak and read Russian and French but getting rusty. Am living with family who speaks Cantonese and am taking Mandarin @ school. Hope to be fluent in Cantonese and have moderate knowledge of Mandarin by years end. Will be first to graduate 4 year college in family.

I'm in the process of preparing for an upcoming interview. Your tips have been helpful. Though, i was also wondering, everyone advices me to ask questions, but really i have a vague idea of what questions to ask. I mean i don't know i don't want to sound awkward or maybe even out of topic. what key questions should i ask to make a great impression on my interviwer? And also how elaborate and complex should my answers to his/her questions be?

Thanks i'd appreciate your help.

LG