So, where are kids with 30-31 ACT scores getting in (east Coast). Good grades, good ECs, etc…does this test score rule out the top 50? thanks
The reason why people aren’t answering your questions is probably because it’s too vague. Because a score is only part of the application, it’s not going to tell you very much. The score + GPA is more information and then there are the other things that are weighed, such as ECs and enthusiasm about a school and special talents that speak to a particular school, that sort of thing.
If you go to a website called prepscholar you can run scenarios school by school for score by GPA. Simply google and and that will pull up that school’s page. Scroll way down on that page and you will find the engine for that school where you can put in your sore and your anticipated gpa to see your chances at that school (not taking into consideration the other factors.
The short answer for “does this school rule out the top 50” is no. It does not. There are several T50 schools that will take students with 30-31 GPA and the SAT equivalent.
Schools in the vicinity of URichmond (#74) in this list, as well as UR itself, might represent matches for a student with those basic academic and personal credentials: https://amp.businessinsider.com/the-610-smartest-colleges-in-america-2015-9.
And, don’t forget LACs. One of our kids is at Richmond, which he loves, and I see kids getting in ED with those ACT scores (assuming rest is there). Understand when targeting schools that for the best shot, you want your child’s stats (scores/GPA) to be in the 75% if applying RD, especially if they do not have some amazing EC or a hook (URM, recruited athlete, legacy). So, make sure to have some of those on your list!
Dickinson would be a good one to look at.
There’s a lot more factors than just ACT, but I honestly looked at the same thing too when I was going through my apps this fall, so I’ll answer your question! I have a 31 on the ACT and just got accepted to Kenyon College on Friday through the ED round 
I do think my score helped me get in at least a little bit. I had gotten a 36 on the english section and 32 on the reading, (my other two scores were decent too) and with Kenyon being known as a writing school, I think this helped!
But, at the same time don’t rely on just the ACT as a factor. I’m going in as a physics major, and had a 26 on the math ACT… which to me would sound like a small red flag, but I was still accepted and even got some really good scholarships!
Good luck!!!
understood-- wanted to see where folks with these types of ACT scores-- unhooked, not URM-- with good grades (A minus UW average) go to school-- just a general idea.
My D was accepted to Haverford ED with an ACT in that narrow range.
My dd got into URoch RD with a 31.
Not sure about Top 50, but that score range certainly doesn’t rule out a lot of excellent colleges where your student could do great things.
One of my friends got a 31 ACT and got admitted to UPenn ED. His GPA UW was also a 3.81. His essays were pretty great, though. I helped proofread them, and they were stellar. I think he did get kinda lucky, but it just goes to show you that a 30-31 ACT can get you into some great schools if you are great in other areas. A fringe Top 50 like a UGA (in-state) could be in range as well as the others mentioned above.
If the student is willing to go beyond the east coast, SMU and Rhodes would probably admit the student with a merit award.
My D has a 30 ACT and got into NYU, admittedly ED. @Dustyfeathers , I’m gonna take that prepscholar calculator with a big grain of salt, because it came up at 13% for her. Her naviance showed she was clearly in a decent if not “safe” range though.
Her friend with a similar ACT (maybe 1 up or down) got into Tulane.
But there is so much more at play than one number. And you see people with fantastic grades and test scores rejected from schools they considered close to safeties. When schools says they do holistic admissions, believe them.
East Coast schools that might be worth exploring: Emerson, Muhelenberg, Fordham, Bentley, Villanova, Skidmore, George Washington, American, Bucknell, Boston University, and Babson.