Hey, I'm prepping for the ACT and trying to get a sense of what my score might mean in the college admissions landscape. If I score a 27 on the ACT, what percentile would that put me in?
I'm trying to figure out how competitive a 27 is compared to other test-takers and how it might impact my chances at different types of schools. Is a 27 considered solid, or should I aim higher? If you've scored in this range, I'd love to hear what your college results were. Thanks!
A score of 27 on the ACT is considered to be above average and generally competitive for many schools. The percentile can vary slightly from year to year, but based on most recent data, a score of 27 places you in approximately the 85th percentile. This means you scored higher than about 85% of test takers.
In terms of how competitive a 27 might be for various colleges, it depends on their average score ranges. For less selective schools, a score of 27 would likely be on the higher end of their admitted student profiles. For some of the more selective colleges, a 27 could be toward the low end of their average ACT range. Always remember that test scores are just one part of the application and some schools (especially during the 2024-2025 application cycle) are still test-optional.
With regards to aiming higher, if you're targeting very selective schools (like those in the Ivy League), it could be beneficial to aim for a score in the 30s, as these schools often have average ACT scores in the higher range. However, regardless of where you're applying, improving your score could only better your prospects, as long as it doesn't take away from other valuable aspects of your preparation, like extracurriculars and coursework.
Remember, all colleges consider a variety of factors beyond test scores, including GPA, courses taken in high school, essays, letters of recommendation, extracurricular activities, and more. These can sometimes even have a bigger impact than your test scores in the admissions decision.
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