What's the 25th percentile for ACT scores?

Hey, I'm trying to get an idea of how competitive my ACT score is for my college applications. What's the 25th percentile for ACT scores? Is there a general range that colleges consider acceptable for admission?

The 25th percentile for ACT scores generally refers to the score at which 25% of admitted students score below. This can vary significantly depending on the particular college or university you're interested in. In general, the 25th percentile ACT score at selective colleges and universities tends to fall in the range of 25-30, but again, this will vary by institution. Do keep in mind that some schools have higher standards, with their 25th percentile ACT score being around 33-34.

To get a sense of whether your ACT score is competitive, research the specific colleges and universities you're considering applying to, and look up their admitted student profiles, which will typically provide the middle 50% ACT range (including both the 25th and 75th percentiles) for admitted students.

For example, if a university reports a middle 50% ACT range of 29-33, that means around 50% of admitted students had ACT scores within that range, with 25% having scores below 29 and 25% having scores above 33. If your ACT score falls within or above the middle 50% range of the schools on your list, your score will likely be considered competitive. However, it's crucial to remember that most colleges use a holistic review process, factoring in other aspects of your application such as GPA, extracurriculars, essays, and recommendations.

Finally, make sure you check the test policy for each college on your list, as several schools have adopted test-optional or test-blind policies following the COVID-19 pandemic. In these cases, your ACT score may be less significant or irrelevant to the admissions process, depending on the policy of the specific institution.