Do ACT scores still matter?

With all the changes in the admissions process recently, I'm feeling a little lost. Do ACT scores still matter when applying to college or have they become less important? I'm trying to figure out if I should put more effort into improving my score or not. Thanks for any advice!

Yes, ACT scores still matter for many college admissions, but their importance can vary based on the individual college or university. Due to the pandemic and recent shifts in college admissions, some colleges have gone test-optional or test-blind. Test-optional means that schools allow you to decide whether or not to submit your test scores, and they will not penalize you if you choose not to. Test-blind schools, on the other hand, will not consider your test scores at all in the admission process.

You can still benefit from a strong ACT score at test-optional schools if you feel it will enhance your application and demonstrate your academic abilities. For schools that have not changed their testing policies, a good ACT score remains an essential part of your application.

Your best course of action is to research the specific testing requirements and policies for the colleges you're interested in applying to and use that information to decide if you should work on improving your ACT score. Note that for competitive programs or scholarship opportunities, having a strong test score can still prove advantageous even at test-optional schools.

In addition, you should balance your time and effort between your ACT and other crucial aspects of your application, such as GPA, extracurricular involvement, and essay writing. In many cases, it's maintaining a well-rounded and strong application that will give you a better shot at admission.