Need some guidance, is a 31 on the ACT considered good?

Hey everyone, I just received my ACT scores and ended up getting a 31. I'm wondering if this is a good score. Will it help me secure a spot in competitive colleges? What are your thoughts? I'm feeling a bit stressed and could use some guidance here. Thanks!

First of all, congratulations on scoring a 31 on the ACT! To give you some context, a 31 is an impressive score and generally considered to be quite competitive. It places you in the 95th percentile of test-takers, meaning you scored higher than 95% of students who took the ACT. You should be proud of your achievement!

Now, as for your concern about how it will fare in the college admissions process, a 31 can make you a competitive applicant at many top-tier schools, but it largely depends on which schools you are considering.

For some of the top 20 colleges and universities in the United States, the average ACT score for admitted students is in the 32-35 range, while for many others schools, a 31 is well within their middle 50% or above. It's essential to research the average ACT scores of admitted students at the specific schools you're interested in applying to and see how your score measures up.

Keep in mind that while your ACT score is an essential component of your application, most selective colleges also have a holistic admissions process. This means they will look at multiple aspects of your application, such as your GPA, course rigor, extracurricular activities, and personal essays, to make an admissions decision.

A strong ACT score like yours certainly helps, but make sure to put work into these other areas of your application as well to present the best possible package to the colleges of your choice.

In short, your 31 on the ACT is a good score and will make you a competitive candidate at many colleges. While it might not guarantee admission to the most prestigious schools, it will definitely be a strong aspect of your application. Good luck with your college applications!