How good is a 31 ACT and 4.0 GPA for college applications?

Hello everyone! I'm a junior, and I just got a 31 on my ACT and currently have a 4.0 GPA. Are these stats solid for applying to competitive colleges? What kind of schools should I be targeting in my college search process? Thanks for any feedback!

A 31 ACT and 4.0 GPA are great achievements and will definitely put you in a competitive position for many colleges. A 31 ACT score is in the 95th percentile, which means you scored higher than 95% of test takers. Your 4.0 GPA, assuming it's unweighted, demonstrates that you have strong academic abilities and can maintain high grades throughout high school.

That said, the selectivity of colleges varies widely. With your current stats, you should be a strong candidate for many top-tier public universities, liberal arts colleges, and some private universities. You may also even be considered competitive at some of the highly selective colleges, however, keep in mind that those schools have holistic admission processes and will consider a variety of factors beyond your academic achievements, such as extracurricular activities, essays, and letters of recommendation.

I recommend that you research and create a balanced list of schools that includes safeties, matches, and reaches. "Safety" schools are those where your GPA and test scores are comfortably above the 75th percentile of admitted students, ensuring high chances of acceptance. "Match" schools are those where your stats are aligned with the middle 50% of admitted students, so your chances of acceptance are moderately high. "Reach" schools are those where your GPA and test scores fall below the 25th percentile of admitted students, meaning that acceptance is less certain.

While your stats are important, your extracurricular involvement, essay-writing skills, and other aspects of your application are crucial as well. Take the time to develop a well-rounded profile, and make sure your essays are strong and reflect your personality, passions, and goals.

Overall, with your current accomplishments, you should be in a good position to apply to competitive colleges. Just make sure to balance your list of schools and focus on aspects of your application beyond your academic achievements. Good luck in the college search process!