Hey all, I'm considering applying to Yale next year and I'm a little nervous about my ACT scores. What are the average ACT scores for students admitted to Yale? And would a slightly lower score be offset by strong extracurriculars and essays? Thanks in advance!
Hello! Yale University is a highly selective school, and naturally, its admitted students tend to have excellent test scores. Typically, the middle 50% ACT scores for students admitted to Yale range from 33 to 35. This means that 25% of accepted students scored below a 33 on the ACT, while another 25% scored above a 35.
Although having a strong ACT score is important, keep in mind that Yale has a holistic admissions process, which means they consider every aspect of your application, not just test scores. This includes your grades, rigor of your coursework, essays, letters of recommendation, extracurricular activities, etc. Strong extracurriculars and essays can certainly help balance out a slightly lower ACT score. However, it's important to ensure your score is within the competitive range for the school, as the Academic Index (which represents your grades and test scores) plays a significant role in admissions decisions.
If you feel your ACT score is not representative of your abilities, you might consider retaking the test to improve your chances, or spend more time developing your "spike" - a highly-developed specialty or a significant achievement in a particular area. Showcasing your strengths in other aspects of your application through unique essays and strong extracurricular activities can certainly help strengthen your candidacy. Good luck with your application!
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.