Competitive ACT score for Columbia?

Hey everyone, Columbia is a dream school for me, but I'm a bit nervous. What ACT scores are competitive for a place like Columbia? Is there a certain score I should be aiming for? I'm trying to set some study goals.

Columbia University is one of the Ivy League universities that have a highly competitive admissions process, and high standardized test scores certainly play a role. For the ACT specifically, you would ideally want to score at the high end of the range reported by admitted students. In recent years for Columbia, the middle 50% ACT range, which are the scores where 50% of admitted students fall, has been between 33 and 35. This means you would aim to have an ACT score of at least 33 to be competitive.

However, it's crucial to keep in mind that a high ACT score alone will not secure your place at Columbia. The university also places a great deal of emphasis on strong academic records, deliberating over your course rigor and grades, and also the various other aspects of your application: your extracurricular activities, letters of recommendation, and essays, which provide a more holistic understanding of you as a student and person.

While aiming for a 33 or above will definitely boost your application, remember that there is no specific score below which acceptance is impossible. You should try your best to get the highest score you can, which would make your application even stronger. Preparing a solid study plan and sticking to it is a good step towards achieving your goal. Good luck with your studies!