Hi all, I got a 27 on my ACT and I'm not sure if I should retake it or not. I guess I'm just stressing about this whole college admissions thing and would love some advice. Would a 27 be enough for most colleges? Or should I try to score higher?
Hello! I totally understand that tests can be a source of stress, but you're not alone. It's perfectly normal to want to improve upon your test score in order to boost your college application. However, whether you need to retake the ACT depends largely on where you're planning to apply.
A 27 on the ACT places you at or above the 85th percentile, overall, which means you scored better than most students who took the test. This score should make you competitive for many colleges - remember, though, much will depend on the rest of your application, like your GPA, coursework, extracurriculars and essays.
However, if you are looking at highly selective schools, such as the ones in the Ivy League, a score of 27 might be at the lower end when compared to their average ACT scores. For example, at Dartmouth College, a majority of enrolled students have ACT scores between 32 and 35. In this case, you may consider retaking the ACT. However, remember that Dartmouth, and colleges like it, have holistic admissions processes. That means they take into account every part of your application, not just your test scores.
Before you decide to retake the ACT, consider the amount of effort it will require from you in terms of studying and preparing for the test. Is it worth the time for the score increase you're likely to get, or would it be better to spend that time strengthening other aspects of your application? It's also worth noting that some colleges might overlook a lower ACT score if the rest of your application is particularly strong.
Ultimately, the decision is yours. Objectively, a 27 is a strong score, but it's worth reflecting on the schools you're planning to apply to and how much time and effort you're able and willing to put into studying for a retake. Best of luck!
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