ACT scores and college admissions?

I am preparing for my ACTs and I was wondering—how high do my ACT scores need to be for getting into decent colleges? Is there a certain score range that is generally considered 'good enough'?

The ACT score needed for admission greatly varies depending on the specific colleges you are interested in. Generally speaking, the average ACT score for all test-takers is 21. However, a "good" score for one university may not be sufficient for another.

For example, selective institutions would typically expect ACT scores in the higher range, typically around 30 and above, or above 33 at the most competitive colleges (like the Ivy League schools and their peers). However, for many state schools and less selective universities, a score in the mid-20s might be more than adequate.

Keep in mind that while your ACT score plays an important role in your application, colleges consider a variety of factors, including your GPA, course rigor, extracurricular activities, letters of recommendation, and essays. Your ACT score is just one aspect of your application.

Also, given the variability in test requirements among schools (with many still being test-optional), it's essential to research the specific admissions requirements for each college on your list. You can then tailor your prep and application strategy mostly effectively. To learn more about test-optional policies, I'd check out this blog post from CollegeVine: https://blog.collegevine.com/does-test-optional-mean-test-optional/

If you're looking for more personalized results, CollegeVine has a chancing engine that can calculate your chances of admission based not only on your test scores but your overall profile as well (grades, extracurriculars, and so on): https://www.collegevine.com/admissions-calculator/. You might find it helpful for determining what ACT score you should aim for.

You can also find more information about what a particular school wants to see on the ACT on their website - the middle 50% of scores, for example, indicates the range most accepted students fall within. Remember, these numbers are just benchmarks and do not guarantee admission or denial—they're simply an indication of what a competitive applicant for these schools usually scores on the ACT.

Good luck with your ACT prep!