Understanding ACT scores and rankings

Hi there! I'm sort of new to the whole ACT thing, and I want to better understand what a good score is. What's considered a competitive ACT score, and how do colleges generally use these scores when evaluating applicants?

Hello! A competitive ACT score usually refers to a score that is high enough to make you an attractive applicant to the colleges you're interested in. To provide some context, the ACT exam is scored on a scale of 1-36, with an average score typically falling around 21. However, the definition of a "good" score can vary significantly depending on the colleges you're targeting.

For highly selective colleges, a strong ACT score is generally in the 30-36 range, whereas for more moderately selective colleges, a score of 24-29 might be considered competitive. It's crucial to research the middle 50% ACT score range (this represents the 25th to 75th percentile of admitted students) for the specific schools you're interested in. This information can give you an idea of the score range within which most admitted students fall. Keep in mind that the middle 50% is not a strict cutoff, so a score below the 25th percentile or above the 75th percentile doesn't guarantee acceptance or rejection.

Colleges typically use your ACT score as one piece of the larger puzzle that makes up your application. It's often considered alongside other factors like your GPA, course rigor, extracurricular activities, essays, and letters of recommendation. The weight assigned to your ACT score varies depending on the college and their admission policies. For instance, some schools might focus more on GPA or course rigor, while others might emphasize test scores to a greater extent.

While a competitive ACT score is an important aspect of your application, keep in mind that many schools use a holistic approach to admissions, evaluating applicants on various aspects of their application rather than relying solely on test scores. So, even if your ACT score isn't perfect, a strong application in other areas can still help in making you an attractive candidate.

Lastly, it's important to note that some colleges have adopted test-optional or test-blind policies, meaning that submitting standardized test scores is not required or not considered, respectively. If you're applying to any such schools, your ACT score may not play a role in your application at that particular institution. However, for those schools still considering test scores, a competitive ACT score remains an influential factor. Good luck in your college application journey!