Does an ACT score of 17 close all doors?

Hey, gotta question for you guys. Got a score of 17 on my ACT, and feeling a bit deflated. Are there colleges that will still consider me with this score, or am I better off retaking? Any advice or experiences to share?

Hello! First, breathe a bit and remember, you are more than your test scores. Now, to your question - a 17 on your ACT does not close all doors. There are numerous schools that will consider applicants with this score. Naturally, the higher the score, the more options you'll have, especially if you're looking at more selective institutions. However, it's also important to note that many colleges are moving towards being test-optional or test-blind, meaning they do not require or even consider standard test scores in their admissions process.

As for retaking the ACT, your decision should depend on several factors. Consider your college list - do you have schools that require or heavily weigh standardized test scores? Would a higher score significantly improve your application? You might also want to think about how well you prepared for this first attempt. If you didn't put much time into studying, a structured study plan might yield better results the second time around.

In the end, it's crucial to remember that colleges consider many different aspects of an application - your GPA, extracurricular activities, recommendation letters, and essays also play a significant role. If your score is lower than you hoped, aiming to excel in these other areas can help balance your application.

For instance, your essays allow you a chance to shine beyond numbers, sharing unique insights about your experiences, passions, and life journey. Letters of recommendation can shine a light on your character, work ethic, and dedication. And engaging deeply in a few extracurricular activities can highlight your leadership skills, commitment, and passions.

So take heart, you have plenty of options moving forward. Reflect on where you want to apply, how the ACT figures into their admissions decisions, and how prepared you feel to study and retake the test if needed. Your path to college is not defined by one test score. You got this!