Should I Retake the ACT with a Score of 30?

I just got my ACT scores back and I scored a 30. I'm happy but wondering if it's worth trying again to improve my chances at more selective schools. What do you think? Should I retake it or focus on other parts of my application?

A score of 30 on the ACT is an excellent score and typically is within the middle 50% percentile for many competitive schools. However, whether or not you should retake it depends on your circumstances.

If the selective schools you're interested in have middle 50% ACT scores consistently above 30, then retaking the ACT might be a worthwhile consideration to strengthen your application. Additionally, if you feel that your score doesn't accurately represent your academic abilities, or if you felt unwell on the test day and didn't perform at your best, retaking the test could be beneficial to you.

On the other hand, if your ACT score falls within the middle 50% or above for your target schools, you can shift your focus to other aspects of your application. Remember that standardized test scores are just one piece of your application. Colleges also highly value your high school coursework and performance, extracurricular involvement, essays, and teacher recommendations. So, if these areas need strengthening, that might be where you should focus your time and energy.

Take note of the test policies of your preferred colleges as well. Some schools are test-optional, which might influence your decision.

In the end, think about which option would lead to the greatest overall benefit for your application. Where can your time and energy make the biggest impact? Good luck with your decision!