Hi folks, is getting a 36 on the ACT really a make-or-break deal for top-tier colleges? I mean, does it substantially improve my chances or is it just one piece among many other factors like GPA, extracurriculars, and essays? Little nervous about this, could use some insight.
Hello! It's understandable to feel overwhelmed by standardized tests, especially since they seem to carry so much weight. Here's the deal: while a high ACT score, like a 36, is undoubtedly impressive, it's not the sole deciding factor in college admissions, especially at top-tier colleges. A perfect ACT score is not a ticket to admission nor is a score less than perfect a guaranteed rejection by any means.
Admissions processes at these colleges are typically holistic, which means they consider all aspects of your application: GPA, the rigor of your coursework (like Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate classes), your essays, extracurricular activities, and recommendation letters, alongside your standardized test scores.
Certainly, a 36 on the ACT demonstrates a high level of academic aptitude and can help you stand out in a highly competitive pool of applicants. But the difference between a 36 and other high score like a 35 is negligible - once you clear a certain academic threshold at these schools, demonstrating passion and commitment in your extracurricular activities, or having notable personal strengths, becomes much more important, as those intangible qualities are typically what schools turn to when making their final decisions.
If you'd like to get a clearer sense of how the admissions process works at top-tier schools and the important of test scores, I'd recommend checking out this blog post from CollegeVine: https://blog.collegevine.com/what-is-the-academic-index-how-is-it-calculated
So, while striving for a strong ACT score is an important piece of your application, it's equally essential to focus on your coursework, essays, and extracurricular activities. These are crucial parts of your application that often tell more about you as an individual than a test score can, and thus they are what will set you apart from even other qualified applicants.
Best of luck with your standardized testing journey, and college process as a whole!
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