What do you consider a decent ACT score?

Hey, I'm currently a junior and just took my ACT. I'm wondering what you all would consider a decent ACT score for someone who's aiming for good colleges, but not necessarily the Ivies?

A decent ACT score depends on the specific colleges you're targeting, but as a general rule of thumb, an ACT score of around 27 to 30 can be considered decent for non-Ivy League schools. This range usually puts you in the top 15% to 10% of test-takers and may help you stand out to competitive, but not ultra-selective colleges.

However, keep in mind that many good colleges have a wide range of accepted ACT scores. To get a more accurate picture of what a decent ACT score is for you, research the middle 50% ACT scores at the colleges on your list. The middle 50% range represents the test scores of the middle 50% of admitted students (i.e., from the 25th to 75th percentile). Aiming for a score within or above this range can be seen as competitive for those particular schools.

While test scores are important, they're just one part of your application. Colleges also consider your grades, rigor of coursework, extracurricular activities, essays, and recommendation letters. Make sure to focus on building a strong application in all these areas to increase your chances of getting into the colleges you're targeting.

In summary, aim for an ACT score of around 27 to 30 to increase your competitiveness for non-Ivy League schools, but also research the specific score ranges for the colleges you're interested in and cultivate a well-rounded application.