Is 29 a strong ACT score?

Just got my ACT score and it's a 29. I know it's not bad, but is this considered good? What kind of colleges are likely to accept this score?

An ACT score of 29 is indeed quite strong! It places you in the top 10% of all test takers. This score indicates a high level of comprehension and academic capacity. While it's absolutely considered above average, the competitiveness of your score will also depend on the specific universities and programs you're targeting.

For example, at many state universities or less selective private institutions, your score could place you in the upper echelon of applicants and might even qualify you for merit scholarships. If you're aiming for top-tier, ultra-competitive schools, however, a 29 might be below their typical admitted student ACT score range. To give you an idea, the middle 50% ACT range for schools like Dartmouth College or Johns Hopkins University sits around 32-35.

Note, though, the ACT score is just one factor in your application. Schools will also consider your GPA, course rigor, essays, letters of recommendation, extracurricular activities, and sometimes demonstrated interest, among others. And remember, especially since the pandemic, many schools have adopted test-optional policies, which means you can decide not to include your test scores at all depending on the institution.

So to answer your question, 29 is a strong ACT score generally speaking, but its relative strength depends on where you're planning to apply. It's always wise to research the average admitted student profile at each institution on your list to get an idea of where your score stands.