Stanford ACT Requirements?

Hey guys! So, Stanford is my dream school (I know, join the club, right?) and I was wondering if anyone could give me a rundown of their ACT score requirements. Is it a make or break for admissions?

In general, Stanford University does not have a specific 'minimum requirement' for the ACT score but it's important to understand that as one of the most selective schools in the US, it tends to accept students with very high scores. In recent years, the 25th percentile score was 33, and the 75th percentile score was 35. This means that 25% of Stanford's incoming students scored below a 33 on their ACT, and 75% scored below a 35.

However, for the 2024-2025 application cycle, Stanford will continue to be test-optional. This means applicants are not required to submit either the SAT or ACT score along with their application. Still, your test scores are an important factor considering Stanford's competitive nature, and a high score could help your chances.

Yet, keep in mind that while your ACT score is undoubtedly a significant piece of your application, it won't be the only factor that admissions officers consider. They also value other aspects like the rigor of your coursework, your GPA, the effectiveness of your personal statement, and the impact you've made through your extracurricular activities.

Also, Stanford is looking for students who have a highly-developed specialty or a clearly-defined interest -- a "spike" -- as they've proven to be successful in that field and will likely continue to be successful in that in the future.

So, while you should strive for a high score on your ACT, pay equal attention to the other components of your application, as they all play a role in the admission decision.