ACT Again?

NYCTBaseball posted:

I took the ACT in December and got a 34. I don't think I'm going to take it again but wanted to hear some other opinions.

By this link http://www.act.org/aap/pdf/Nor...site-Web2015-16.pdf,

your score is in the 98-99th percentile of ACT takers the last 3 years (Hence a really good score). Coaches at most (or all) schools you are looking at should give you a big thumbs up.

Son never took the ACT, but took SAT only once and did very well. His scores were said to be "good enough" for high academic schools he was vetting. Son also read some link on College board which indicated he had more of a chance of going down then up, which is contrary to most SAT (and likely ACT)  takers.

Keep hitting the books in the classroom and working hard on the field.

Agree with Ripken.  Spend your time on other stuff.  Heck, take in a movie.

If you are a perfectionist, take it again.     Don't laugh, I know someone who retook the SAT because they didn't get a 2400.  She did retake it (got a 2400) and received a full academic scholarship.  She also played D1 Ivy soccer.   

If you are an aspiring high school baseball player with transferable skills to the next level, I'd say you are off to a tremendous start and you should have a lot of options IF you know how to get recruited.  Having a lot of options can be a blessing and curse, so I'd spend some time thinking about life goals and passions and how to best get there.  

Best of luck!

Thanks for the help. I'm a 2017 and I feel 100% sure I want to do journalism or broadcasting and believe I have playing ability best suited for high academic division three.

34 is at or above the mean at pretty much any school in the country, so you've got that aspect of your application in very good shape, and there's not much room for improvement.  Assuming your grades are just as good, I think your time and resources would be better used working on EC's that show a continuing commitment toward the things you care about. So maybe take a course in journalism at the local JC, or coach a LL team, or write some HS sports pieces and try to talk the local paper into running them,  or see if you you can land an internship or volunteer position at the local sports radio station.  Just MHO.

Why would you? Was this first time taking? 

You have the academic ?  down, make sure skills are where they need to be, and start  narrowing down schools that have your major where u want or can play.  Get on their radar.

good luck

I think the preceding posts are spot on.

Get bigger, faster, stronger.  Get better at baseball.  If you've been to a showcase, you know the drill.  Running speed, throwing velocity, bat speed, etc.  Theses things are measured and compared. 

The ACT is there for any academic school if baseball is in the mix.   Now make sure coaches want you for your baseball skills.

Each university publishes an average ACT or SAT score for the most recent freshman class.

https://www.powerscore.com/sat...rage_test_scores.cfm

See where your 34 falls within the norm at your target schools.  Pretty common at Duke or Vanderbilt, for example. I wouldn't take it again. I agree with the folks here who recommend building baseball skills instead.

Then search which of  your target schools offer merit aid. Some schools are generous (Alabama is actively courting students like you, for example.) You are in full tuition and full ride territory for a large number of schools, assuming you are a junior in high school now. (If you are a senior, you've missed the common Dec 1 scholarship application deadline.) You may choose to play baseball at the school that offers you the best merit package.

no one else thinks he should just take in a movie?

What schools are you targeting?  Does you school use Naviance?  If so take a look at what GPAs and ACT scores, from your school, are getting into your target schools.  If you can get in with your score there is no reason to take it again.  All you can improve is 2 points which would give you a perfect score.  If you don't care about a perfect score then why waste the time. 

First, congrats. 

(If your interested in the highest academic schools read on.)

Second, IF you are a recruited baseball player, you're done with the ACT/SAT. If your grades don't match that score, get them up; if the course rigor isn't the most difficult the school offers, make it so. You don't need to concern yourself about other ECs apart from baseball. If your target schools require the SAT Subject tests then get prepare so you can deliver consistent scores. In this case, if you're recruited by a D1 in that tier, continue your recruiting efforts until you have a firm commitment (e.g., an Ivy League Likely Letter). If you're recruited by a D3 remember there is a little more opaqueness to the process so you need to determine when to stop recruiting.

IF you're not a recruited player, it's still not worth retaking the test. In this case, again focus on those grades, rigor and SAT subject tests BUT now ECs, LOR and other honors (E.g., ISEF) really matter. And, note that even if those are full of depth, all it earned you is a lottery ticket in the admissions process. In this case, cast a wide net in the application process.

Work on your baseball skills - that's what you need to do now - especially hitting. Once you hurdle the academic bars, you get no extra points which are somehow used to lower the baseball bar.  There are no trade offs for a coach.

Develop a plan to get the right exposure this upcoming summer. Speak with your parents about the finances and whether that makes an impact on your target schools. If you are from an area where those academic schools are concentrated, go visit every school you can to decide the type of school you would like to attend /play for. When you visit the schools, track down and open a dialogue with the HC and/or RC (leave mom and dad in the lobby), have your academic transcript with you to give out.

Also recognize that even though currently you would choose journalism or broadcasting, interests change so choose schools where you burn the fewest number of bridges in future potential majors. (And every school has a newspaper crying for talent.)

Phenomenal ACT.  High hurdle out of the way.  Focus on hitting and advanced position skill development.  Hitting, if you have to correct a few things get it done now.  Strength, you should be working your tail off to get stronger.  Speed, work on technique to improve and leverage your new found strength.  Spend the time to find quality instructors to assist you.  Talk to your club coach and your baseball organization founders.  They can help you develop a plan to get you where you want to go.  Your baseball program will take pride in being able to participate in your college recruiting process.  Getting a kid to a top academic school with a chance to play also makes the organization look good.  They want to help you.

You are on a terrific path.  Enjoy the ride, "take in a movie" (Smoke), keep the grades up, smile and enjoy the family time.  College will be here fast..