What constitutes a high ACT score?

I'm planning to take the ACT soon, and I'm not sure what would be considered a 'high' or competitive score. What range should I aim for, and does it depend on the colleges I want to apply to? Any advice or information would be helpful!

A high ACT score is generally considered to be in the range of 33 to 36. However, what constitutes a competitive score depends largely on the colleges you plan to apply to and their average admitted student scores.

For most students, an ACT score of at least 30 will make you competitive for many great colleges and universities. However, if you're aiming for highly selective schools, such as those in the Ivy League or other top-tier institutions, you'll typically want to aim for a score of 33 or above to be truly competitive. Keep in mind that a higher score doesn't guarantee admission, as these schools consider other factors in their holistic review process, but it can help to demonstrate your academic readiness.

To determine what score you should aim for, research the middle 50% ACT scores for admitted students at the schools you're interested in. You can usually find this information on a college's admissions website, or by searching "[college name] accepted ACT scores." The middle 50% ACT scores represent the range within which 50% of admitted students scored, so aiming for a score above the 75th percentile will make you a more competitive applicant in terms of test scores.

Ultimately, it's important to set reasonable goals for yourself based on your own abilities and the requirements of your target colleges. While preparing for the ACT, focus on understanding the content and strategies that will help you excel at the test. Don't forget to balance your ACT preparation with other important aspects of your college application like maintaining a strong GPA, participating in meaningful extracurricular activities, and crafting compelling essays. Best of luck with your test preparation and future college applications!