Is a 31 on the ACT considered a good score for college admissions?

I'm a high school junior who just got my ACT scores back, and I got a 31. I've been hearing mixed things from friends and online, so I'm curious to know if a 31 ACT score is considered good when applying to colleges. I know it probably depends on the schools I'm aiming for, but any general advice on how this might stack up, especially for competitive or Ivy League schools? Also, could a score like this potentially qualify me for scholarships or merit-based aid?

Great question! A 31 is a strong score; in fact, it places you in approximately the 95th percentile of all ACT test-takers. This means you scored higher than 95% of the students who took the same test.

When it comes to recognizing a 'good' score, it can be a bit subjective as it primarily depends on the particular universities you're aiming to get into. For less selective universities, a 31 would be considered an outstanding score and would boost your application. However, for highly competitive schools like Ivy Leagues, a 31 may be on the lower end of their middle 50% range, but remember, these are averages and mean that several accepted students score below this range.

The middle 50% for ACT scores at Ivy League schools start in the low 30s. For instance, the middle 50% at Harvard falls within 34-36, Dartmouth is 32-35, and Yale is 33-36. As indicated, many students are still accepted with scores below these ranges; it's just that a higher score could make your application more competitive.

Regarding scholarships and merit-based aid, that too depends on specific schools and their scholarship programs. Most schools award merit-based aid with ACT/SAT scores being one of the factors considered but not the only one. Things like your GPA, extracurricular activities, and leadership roles also commonly factor into these decisions.

In conclusion, a 31 is an impressive ACT score. If you're aiming for schools where the average ACT scores are higher, you might consider retaking the ACT to try and improve your score. And, as always, remember that test scores are just one piece of your application. Your transcript, essays, letters of recommendation, and extracurricular involvement all carry significant weight. Good luck!