34 ACT score: Am I aiming too high?

I'm wondering where my 34 ACT score stands in the grand scheme of college admissions. Are schools like Harvard or MIT within my academic reach? Feeling a bit stressed about the whole process.

A 34 on the ACT is an impressive score and you should definitely feel proud of this achievement. This score puts you in the 99th percentile, and makes you a competitive applicant from a testing perspective at top-tier colleges like Harvard and MIT.

However, keep in mind that these schools have extremely competitive applicant pools. For admission to such institutions, not only will your ACT score, but other aspects of your application such as your GPA, course rigor, extracurricular activities, awards and honors, essays, and recommendation letters, play a significant role.

When it comes to building your school list, you'll want to think of Harvard and MIT as reach schools - they're a reach for almost everyone because their acceptance rates are so low. Make sure you have a balanced college list that also includes target and safety schools - colleges where your academic profile aligns with their average admitted student profile or is above that.

While planning and going through the admissions process, lean on the resources available to you for dealing with the stress. You're not alone in feeling this way– the college application process can definitely be demanding at times. Reach out to your school's counseling office or trusted teachers if you need reassurance or guidance. Good luck with your applications!