Is 21 a respectable ACT score?

So, I just got my first ACT score back, and it’s a 21. Is that decent? Also, should I consider retaking it to enhance my college applications, or should I focus more on my school grades and extracurricular activities?

An ACT score of 21 is around the national average, so it's certainly not a bad score. That said, the importance placed on this score depends heavily on the colleges you're targeting. Some schools might find a 21 perfectly acceptable, whereas highly selective colleges typically look for scores in the higher range.

Remember, an admissions decision isn't just about test scores. Good grades and strong extracurriculars could certainly compensate for a lower ACT score. That being said, if you're aiming to apply to more competitive colleges, many of those applicants will have both high grades, quality extracurricular activities, and strong test scores.

So should you retake it? Well, the answer depends on a few factors:

1. What schools are you hoping to get into, and what are their average admitted ACT scores? If your score is below the middle 50% for those schools, you might consider retaking.

2. Do you have the time and resources to do so? Studying for the ACT can be a major commitment, and you'll want to make sure you can balance it with your other responsibilities.

3. Do you believe you can improve your score? Some students find they can substantially improve their scores with more preparation or familiarity with the test.

Finally, remember that some schools have test-optional policies. So if you feel your ACT score doesn't represent your abilities well or falls short of your targeted schools' norms, you might opt to apply without submitting test scores at all. However, this option varies from college to college, so you will need to check their admissions policies.