Hey guys, so I just got my ACT results back, and I managed a 32. It's not a perfect 36, but I'm pretty stoked about it. My question is - how does this score stand, say, when applying to Ivy League schools, or colleges in general? Do I need to retake it or is a 32 reasonably competitive?
Congratulations on your score! A 32 ACT is a competitive score for many top-tier colleges, including some Ivy League schools. For instance, the middle 50% ACT score range for Dartmouth College depends on the section, but is approximately 32-35 for 2023-2024 applicants. For Purdue University, the middle 50% range for admitted students is 27-34.
Therefore, your 32 ACT score will likely be within range at these colleges. However, Brown, Yale, and Harvard have reintroduced testing requirements for the 2024-2025 admission cycle, and their middle 50% ACT ranges are slightly higher (from approximately 33 to 35).
Keep in mind that simply meeting the middle 50% range does not guarantee admission, and you'll want to evaluate the rest of your application, such as your extracurriculars, essays, GPA, and other elements to ensure they are equally competitive.
As for whether you should retake the test, it really depends on your target colleges, your time and resources, and other responsibilities you might have. It is often more beneficial to focus on the other parts of your application that you can improve upon (such as essays and extracurriculars) rather than retaking a standardized test for a marginal score increase.
Remember, colleges look at applications holistically, and while test scores are an essential factor, they are only one aspect among many in the evaluation process. So, a 32 ACT score is more than reasonable for many top schools, but ensure the rest of your application is equally strong.
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