Hey there! I was hoping to get some insight into how colleges perceive a 25 on the ACT. Like, it's not a bad score, right? Could someone help me understand what type of universities this score might be competitive for? Thanks!
Hello! The ACT score range is from 1 to 36, so a 25 is well above average and certainly not a "bad" score. That said, the competitiveness of your application can depend on the particular colleges you are targeting.
For instance, a 25 ACT score would make you a competitive candidate for several in-state universities, smaller private schools, and some larger public universities. You would be an above-average applicant at universities where a 25 ACT score is around their 75th percentile, meaning you scored higher than approximately 75% of the students there, and that's a good thing!
On the flip side, this score may be below average (and thus less competitive) at more selective schools, like the Ivy League, Stanford, MIT, and most top 30 schools—those that have average ACT scores in the 30 or above range. Remember that while test scores are important, they are just one piece of your application - grades, course rigor, extracurriculars, essays, and letters of recommendation all matter too.
One final note, you might want to check if your target schools have gone test-optional for this year's admissions cycle, given the ongoing disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. In a test-optional scenario, you can choose whether or not to submit your ACT score.
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