Hey guys. Just got my ACT results back, and I got a 33. Is this considered a high score? Does it make me a competitive applicant for top-rated universities?
Congratulations on your score! A 33 on the ACT is indeed considered a high score.
To give you some perspective, the ACT is scored out of a maximum of 36, and a 33 places you in approximately the 98th percentile of test takers nationwide. That means you scored higher than 98% of students who took the test.
For most top-rated universities, a score of 33 would make you a competitive applicant. For instance, if we look at universities such as Northwestern or Vanderbilt, a 33 is within the middle 50% range of their admitted students.
However, keep in mind that while your ACT score is an important piece of your application, universities consider other factors as well, such as your GPA, extracurriculars, letters of recommendation, and personal essays. It's also worth mentioning that many colleges and universities have a holistic admission process, so they'll look at your application as a whole rather than focusing too heavily on any one aspect.
But overall, a 33 is an impressive score and will be a strong component in your application.
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