ACT Woes: Aspiring for a Top Score

I've been stressing out over this ACT exam. I really want to score high, but how crucial is it to achieve a top score on the ACT test for college admissions? Like, should I keep gunning for a perfect 36 or would a score in the low 30s be enough to still be competitive in my college applications?

Having a high ACT score is definitely beneficial in the college admissions process, but it doesn't guarantee admission at selective colleges. Similarly, having a score that is lower than the average for those colleges doesn't mean you will be rejected. Though a perfect score is impressive, a score in the low 30s can still make you a competitive applicant, particularly if the rest of your application is strong.

No college lists a minimum ACT score for admission. Instead, colleges will usually post the 25th-75th percentile ACT scores of admitted students. If your score is within or above this range, you're academically aligned with their admitted students, which is a good indication. For instance, if a school’s 25th-75th percentile ACT score is 33-35, it means 25% of admitted students got a 33 or under, 50% of students scored between 33-35, and the top 25% scored a 35 or above.

Remember also that most colleges view applications holistically. This means your score is just one piece of your application. Admissions officers also take your coursework, grades, extracurricular involvement, recommendation letters, essays, and other factors into account. If you're particularly strong in one of these other areas, it can offset a less-than-perfect test score.

One point worth mentioning is that as of the 2024-2025 application cycle, some top colleges have reinstated their standardized testing requirements. This includes Dartmouth, Harvard, Purdue, Brown, Yale, UT Austin, and Caltech, and they now require all applicants to submit an SAT or ACT score.

However, each school has different policies so make sure to research each school on your list to understand what they value and how they weigh test scores vs. other parts of your application. Remember, your goal is to give a fuller picture of who you are as a student and individual.

Short version: a top score is an asset but not a requirement and a low 30s score is still competitive. The most important thing is that you continue to prepare thoroughly and to the best of your ability, giving the exam your best effort.