Impact of ACT Score 35

Hi everyone, I recently received my ACT scores and got a 35. I know it's a strong score, but I'm curious about how much of an impact it will have on my college applications. Should I still reach for the top-tier universities? Any advice would be appreciated!

Congratulations on your impressive ACT score! A 35 is indeed an excellent score and will likely have a positive impact on your college applications. It puts you in a competitive position for top-tier universities, as it's within or above the average range for students accepted at many elite institutions.

However, it's important to remember that top-tier colleges take a holistic approach to evaluating applicants. Besides test scores, they also consider your GPA, course rigor, extracurricular activities, essays, and recommendation letters.

While a strong ACT score is an important component, you will still need to demonstrate other areas of strength and involvement to stand out in the applicant pool. At the most selective schools, no single credential will guarantee acceptance, no matter how impressive.

Make sure to showcase your passions and dedication through extracurricular activities, leadership experiences, and community involvement. Your application essays are also an opportunity to present a compelling narrative about your unique qualities and aspirations. Once you demonstrate that you're prepared to thrive in an academically rigorous environment, admissions officers are interested in understanding who you are as an individual and how you will contribute to their campus community.

For tips on how to strengthen your overall application at top-tier schools, I'd recommend checking out CollegeVine's series of blog posts breaking down how to tackle many of the most selective institutions' school-specific supplemental essay prompts. For example, you can find the post for Harvard's essays here: https://blog.collegevine.com/how-to-write-the-harvard-university-essays/

To summarize, your 35 ACT score certainly improves your chances at top-tier universities, but you should still focus on building a well-rounded application that represents your accomplishments and character. Good luck with your college application journey!