Is an ACT score of 33 competitive for college admissions?

Hey guys! I just got my ACT results back and I got a score of 33. I'm pretty happy with it, but I'm just wondering if it's considered to be a strong score for college admissions? Would this qualify me for most top-tier schools or should I retake the test? Thanks!

Hey! Congratulations on your ACT score of 33. It is indeed considered a competitive score for college admissions. To give you some perspective, an ACT score of 33 is roughly equivalent to an SAT score of around 1460-1490 and places you at about the 98th percentile of test-takers nationwide. This means that your score is higher than 98% of students who took the ACT.

While there's no strict cut-off for ACT scores at most top-tier schools, an ACT score of 33 is within the middle 50% of scores for many selective colleges. Of course, every college has its own specific range of what they consider competitive, but a 33 should be well-received at many highly regarded universities.

However, it's important to remember that your ACT score is just one part of your application. Colleges also consider your GPA, course rigor, extracurricular activities, essays, and other factors to evaluate applicants in a holistic manner. A strong score like a 33 certainly helps, but it's essential to showcase your achievements and potential in other areas as well to maximize your chances of admission.

There's no harm in retaking the test if you think you can significantly improve your score, but keep in mind that the differences in outcomes for applicants with scores between 33 and 36 are usually marginal. Instead, you may want to focus on strengthening other aspects of your application, such as your essays, extracurricular activities, and teacher recommendations.

Good luck with your college applications!