I received a 34 on my ACT and I'm considering applying to some Ivy League schools. Is my score competitive enough for these schools, or should I try to retake the exam to improve it? Thoughts and experiences would be helpful!
Congratulations on your 34 ACT score! That's a fantastic achievement, and you should feel proud of your hard work. To answer your question: a 34 is generally a competitive score for Ivy League admissions. Most Ivy League schools do not have a distinct cutoff, but the average ACT score for admitted students usually ranges from 32 to 35.
However, keep in mind that the Ivy League admissions process is holistic, which means they take multiple factors into account aside from your test scores. They will look at your GPA, extracurricular activities, letters of recommendation, essays, and more. So, while a 34 ACT score is strong, it's important to make sure that the other aspects of your application are also exceptional.
Retaking the ACT might result in a higher score, but the improvement would need to be significant to make a noticeable difference in your overall application. If you feel like there are areas you could significantly improve, it may be worth considering a retake. However, if you think your time and energy could be better spent working on your essays, extracurricular activities, and overall application, I would encourage you to focus on those aspects instead.
Wishing you the best of luck in your college application journey!
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