Typical ACT Score Ranges for Colleges?

Hi there! I was just wondering, what are the typical ACT score ranges that colleges look for in applicants? I know it varies from one college to another, but is there a general range that is considered competitive? Thanks in advance!

Hello! You're correct that ACT score ranges vary from college to college, but generally, here's a basic breakdown to give you an idea of what might be considered competitive at different types of institutions:

1. Less selective colleges: ACT 17-23

2. Moderately selective colleges: ACT 23-28

3. Highly selective colleges: ACT 28-32

4. Most selective colleges (e.g., Ivy League schools): ACT 32-36

To determine the competitiveness of your ACT score for specific colleges, check each school's admissions webpage, or College Board's BigFuture website, to see the middle 50% range of admitted students' test scores. This range reflects the 25th-75th percentile of ACT scores for that school's accepted applicants, to give you a better understanding of what scores are typically competitive for that particular institution.

It's important to remember that these are just generalized ranges, and individual colleges may have slightly different expectations. Additionally, many colleges use a holistic admissions process, so a strong ACT score is just one part of your overall application. Other factors like GPA, course rigor, extracurricular activities, essays, and letters of recommendation also play significant rolse in the admissions process.

Remember also that with fluctuating test-optional policies, the importance of ACT scores in the admissions process may differ across schools. So, it's essential to research the specific requirements and policies of the colleges you're interested in. If you want a general overview of test-optional policies and how to navigate them, check out this blog post from CollegeVine: https://blog.collegevine.com/does-test-optional-mean-test-optional

Good luck!