Hey everyone, I was hoping I could get some advice. I got a 27 on my ACT, and I’m wondering, is this a good enough score to apply to competitive colleges? Thanks in advance!
Hello! Let's start by putting your score in context. A 27 on the ACT is indeed a solid score - it's above average and it shows you've demonstrated a good understanding of the test material. However, your competitiveness at highly selective colleges will highly depend on the average test scores of admitted students at the specific schools you're interested in.
For example, highly selective schools tend to have median ACT scores in the low to mid 30s. For the 2024-2025 application cycle, Brown, Dartmouth, Harvard, Purdue, UT Austin, Yale, and Caltech are among the selective colleges that have reinstated mandatory standardized test scores, so in this case, these colleges will evaluate your ACT score.
However, it's important to remember that your ACT score is only one piece of your application, and colleges consider other aspects in addition to your test scores. They also look at your GPA, the rigor of your coursework, your extracurricular activities, your essays, and your letters of recommendation. Complementing your test score with a strong GPA and a contribution to your community (reflected in your extracurricular involvement) can help strengthen your profile.
If the highly selective colleges you're interested in happen to place more emphasis on test scores, and if the median ACT score is significantly higher than a 27, you have a few options. You can consider retaking the ACT and aim for a higher score. Or you could focus on making the other parts of your application as strong as possible.
Lastly, it's always a good idea to apply to a range of colleges - reach schools, match schools, and safety schools - to maximize your chances of admission. You could use tools like CollegeVine's chancing engine to get a better understanding of your chances at certain schools with your current ACT score.
Best of luck with your applications!
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