Hi there! I just received my ACT scores and I got a 30. I'm feeling pretty good about it, but I'm also curious to know how competitive this score is for college admissions. I'm looking into some top schools, but I also want a realistic view of how this score fits in with other applicants. Should I focus on improving my score, or is a 30 strong enough to support my application, especially if I'm aiming high? Any thoughts or experiences would be awesome!
Congratulations on your ACT score! A score of 30 is indeed a strong score and places you in about the top 7% of all test takers. However, to gauge how competitive this score might be, it's important to take into consideration the averages at each of the colleges you're applying to.
For some top schools, the average ACT score of accepted students is significantly higher than 30. For example, at Harvard and Stanford, the middle 50% ACT score (meaning that half of the admitted students scored within this range) tends to hover between 33 and 35.
That said, if you have a strong application otherwise - including rigorous coursework, strong grades, and compelling extracurriculars - it's possible that a school may overlook a score that is slightly below their average. Schools are looking for students who bring unique strengths and interests to their campus, and they're much more than just their test scores.
Still, if you feel like you have room for improvement and the time to study, aiming for a higher score would not be a bad idea because it would only boost your profile. If your schedule is already packed with strong activities, however, it might be a better use of time to focus on keeping your grades up and enhancing your other application components, like your essays.
Hope this helps, and best of luck with your college applications!
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