What does having the 'best' ACT score mean?

Hey fellow test-takers, my goal is to get the best ACT score I can. But what does that mean exactly? Is it a 36, or could a 34 be just as competitive depending on the schools I'm applying to? Also, how important is it to reach for the 'perfect' score in relationship to the rest of my application?

You raise an important question about what is considered the 'best' ACT score. Conceptually, a 'perfect' ACT score is 36, which means you've achieved the highest possible score on the ACT exam. However, the 'best' score for you may not necessarily be a 36. That could differ depending on the requirements and average scores of the colleges you're planning on applying to.

Broadly speaking, an ACT score in the range of 30-34 makes you a competitive candidate for the majority of colleges. However, for highly selective institutions, the average for admitted students may be 34 or above. To get a sense of what a 'best' score might be for you, consider looking at the middle 50% ACT scores of students who were admitted to your target schools. If you fall into that range, or above it, you’re more likely to be seen as a competitive applicant academically speaking for that school.

As for the importance of reaching for that 'perfect' score, bear in mind that while standardized test scores are an important factor in the admissions process, they're not the whole story. Colleges look at several other factors such as your transcripts, letters of recommendation, personal essays, and extracurricular activities. They take a holistic approach and consider how these pieces fit together to form a complete picture of you as a candidate.

For example, an ACT score of 34 with a deep involvement in a handful of extracurricular activities could be more appealing to some colleges than a perfect score of 36 with little to no extracurricular involvement or leadership experience. Therefore, while it's beneficial to aim high, remember to maintain balance in your overall application. Perfect isn't always the 'best' in the eyes of an admissions committee.