Hey guys, I'm dreaming of going to Harvard, and I know I need a pretty stellar ACT score. Can anyone tell me the ballpark range I should aim for to increase my chances of getting in? Thanks a lot!
To strengthen your application for Harvard, you'll want to aim for an ACT score in the top percentiles, as the majority of admitted students typically have high scores. For the Class of 2027, the middle 50% of admitted students had ACT scores between 34 and 36. So, aiming for a 34 or higher will put you in a competitive range.
However, it's important to remember that Harvard takes a holistic approach to admissions, and your ACT score is just one component. Other factors, such as your GPA, coursework, extracurricular activities, essays, and letters of recommendation, also play significant roles in the decision process. Having a high ACT score is important, but you should dedicate a balanced effort to all aspects of your application to increase your chances.
For example, at a school as selective as Harvard, strong supplemental essays can also be a major factor in setting yourself apart from even other talented applicants. For tips on how to tackle Harvard's school-specific supplemental prompts, check out this blog post from CollegeVine: https://blog.collegevine.com/how-to-write-the-harvard-university-essays/. Good luck!
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