Skip to main content
What are your chances of acceptance?
Your chance of acceptance
Duke University
Loading…
UCLA
Loading…
+ add school
Your chancing factors
Unweighted GPA: 3.7
1.0
4.0
SAT: 720 math
200
800
| 800 verbal
200
800

Extracurriculars

Low accuracy (4 of 18 factors)

How good is a 17 on the ACT?

Hey peeps, I just received my ACT results. I managed to score a 17. Is this a good score for college applications? I'm aiming for middle-tier colleges. Please let me know your thoughts!

8 months ago

Hello! A 17 on the ACT falls in the 41st percentile, which means you scored higher than 41% of test-takers. For middle-tier colleges, this score may be below average. Most students admitted to middle-tier colleges have ACT scores in the low-to-mid 20s.

Though your current score is not the strongest for college applications, there are still options to consider. Depending on when you plan to apply, it might be worth retaking the ACT to try for a higher score. If you decide to go this route, look into test preparation courses, practice tests, or tutoring to help you improve.

Keep in mind that colleges also consider other factors, like your GPA, your extracurricular involvement, recommendation letters, and essays, not just your test scores. If you have a strong application overall, a lower ACT score might not be as significant. However, boosting your ACT score can substantially improve your chances of admission to your target schools.

Lastly, you may want to research colleges that are test-optional or do not require standardized test scores for admission, as these schools might be better suited to your current score. Good luck with your college applications!

8 months ago

About CollegeVine’s Expert FAQ

CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.