hello
I got ACT scores of 30 twice
1st time 30 comp (33E, 28M, 29R, 28S)
2nd time 30 comp (29E, 31M, 35R, 24S yikes ik)
which score should I use to apply to colleges? and I’m interested in pretty top tier schools (ik my scores aren’t nearly competitive enough but I still want to try) schools like northwestern, tufts, maybe some ivies but I’m crying, etc
should I retake the ACT in October? or just use my 30, and if so which score
please help
I would try and retake it a third time if you can. I would also use your 1st test, as the scores are more consistent
I know of two prior applicants who each had 30 composite scores on the ACT as their highest scores. One got rejected by all but one of the reach/match schools applied to… and the other got in to almost everywhere. My point is that your ACT score alone will likely not be the deciding factor. Your GPA, Rank in Class, strength of classes attempted, AP scores, ECs, Essays, letters of recommendation, SAT scores, etc. will also all factor into the equation.
A 30 ACT composite score ranks in the 95th percentile, while a 33 (for example) ranks in the 99th. A friend of my daughter just took the ACT test for the 4th time. Her scores were 30, 31, 30 and 33. She clearly really wanted that 33. So studying can pay-off eventually sometimes. In her case, she was able to study the exact questions that she got wrong before and was able to improve her score. If you are confident that you can do the same… go for it.
But if all or most of your other application components are either superior than or potentially much weaker than your 95th percentile ACT score, it may just be a wasted effort. Colleges are likely just looking at the ACT score as one of many deciding factors about you. It really just depends on what the total packet looks like.
Good Luck…
Do you know if any of your schools superscore? Your superscore is a 32. If any of your schools superscore then submit both.