Georgetown's ACT range: How crucial is it for admissions?

I noticed that Georgetown has a specific ACT range for their accepted students. My score falls a little bit outside of that range, so I was curious how important it is to be within their preferred ACT range. Should I retake the test, or is it possible to make up for it through other parts of my application?

While Georgetown does have a specific ACT range for their accepted students, it is important to remember that these are just guidelines and not strict cutoffs. The test score is just one piece of your application, and having a score a little outside their published range does not automatically disqualify you from being considered for admission.

That said, it's generally a good idea to aim for a score within the preferred range, as it may make your application more competitive. If you believe you can significantly improve your ACT score by retaking the test, it might be worth considering. However, if you're already close to the range and feel that your application is strong in other areas, such as extracurricular activities, leadership, grades, and essays, you may still be in a good position.

In some cases, an outstanding "spike" (a highly developed specialty) or exceptional achievements in another aspect of your application can make up for a slightly lower test score. Georgetown, like many other selective universities, practices holistic admissions, which means they look at the entire applicant, not just their test scores.

Ultimately, the decision to retake the ACT should be based on your confidence in being able to achieve a higher score that falls within Georgetown's preferred range and the strength of your other application components.