Is a 30 on the ACT considered a good score for college admissions?

I'm currently a junior, and I recently got a 30 on my ACT. I've heard mixed things about what scores are considered good, and I'm a bit stressed trying to figure it all out. I'm aiming for selective schools but I'm not targeting Ivy League or anything extreme.

Could anyone share if a 30 is generally competitive for better colleges or if it's more average? Should I consider retaking the test, or could my time be better spent strengthening other parts of my application, like my extracurriculars or essays?

Certainly, a score of 30 on the ACT is quite good and generally, it can be considered competitive for selective colleges. According to ACT's data, a score of 30 is approximately in the 93rd percentile nationally, meaning it is better than 93% of all test-takers. That said, these percentiles keep changing slightly with each administration of the exam, but a score of 30 consistently ranks in the top ten percent of all students.

With regards to whether you should retake the test or not, it largely depends on your specific college goals. Each college and university has its own "competitive" ACT score that's based on the school’s selectivity and the scores of previous admitted classes. For example, highly selective schools may have an average ACT score in the 32-35 range. So if you are targeting schools within this category, it could be worth it to retake the ACT, provided you feel confident you can raise your score with additional preparation.

However, it's important to remember that test scores are just one element of your application. If you're already within the mid-50 percentile range for your targeting schools, you might find that your efforts are better spent on other parts of your application like extracurricular activities or strengthening your essays. Also keep in mind that many schools practice holistic review, which means they consider all parts of an applicant’s profile, not just test scores. Strong essays, compelling letters of recommendation, and distinctive extracurricular involvements can all help to balance a lower test score.

As more and more schools are now adopting test-optional policies due to the pandemic, the importance of test scores has somewhat decreased in college admissions. Therefore, you may want to consider the test-optional policies at the schools you're interested in before deciding if you should retake the test. Regardless, a score of 30 is definitely well above average and you can be proud of it!