Is a 21 considered a good score on the ACT?

So, I recently took the ACT and scored a 21. I'm just wondering if that's considered a good score or not? I'm a little bit unsure where I stand...

The term "good" can be relative and depends greatly on your aspirations and the universities you plan to apply to. In a general context, a score of 21 is around the national average, which means you have performed better than a significant portion of test-takers.

However, if you're planning to apply to highly selective colleges, you might find that a 21 falls below their average admitted student ACT scores. For example, for colleges in the Ivy League, the average admitted student typically scores above 30 on the ACT. On the other hand, many state universities and less selective schools would consider a 21 a competitive score.

It's essential that you check out the middle 50% ACT scores of admitted students at the colleges you are interested in to understand where your score stands. If you find your score is below that range, it might be beneficial to consider retaking the ACT and employing different study strategies.

Remember, while standardized test scores are an important part of the application, they are not the sole determining factor. Your high school transcript, your essays, recommendation letters, and extracurriculars all play crucial roles as well. It's important to have a well-rounded application that highlights not only your academic abilities but also your personal qualities, interests, and commitments.