Good ACT score for an international student

International Students
1

<p>Hi!</p>

<p>I’m gonna be a junior next year and wondering about an ACT score that is sufficient for an international student to go to top 25universities in the United States. I came to the United States from Japan three years ago(no English background except for three years in the United States). Currently, my Class rank is like 3% to 5%. I’m a member of school swim team and also participate in several honor societies and outside- of -school activities.</p>

<p>So, my question is, what is a good ACT or SAT score for me? I’m always having difficult time to figure out good score for international students like me( one who staies here with a visa and go to high school)</p>

<p>Thanks</p>

2

<p>Take the median English and Writing scores, substract 3, that’s the maximum that you’ll get as far as leeway goes. Your math, Science, and Reading scores will have to be excellent no matter what.</p>

3

<p>Since you have completed your full high school education in the US, your application would probably be held to the same standards as your classmates’. Higher standards if you apply for financial aid at universities that are not need-blind for international students. </p>

<p>Unlike MYOS1634, I think it’s highly unlikely that you’d be given a “break” on the English and Reading sections of the ACT. If you cannot catch up to your high-achieving classmates in 5 years of middle and high school, odds are you are not going to be caught up with them after 1 or 2 years of college either.</p>

4

<p>^^ OP has only been here for three years, not five, and is top 3-5% of his class… so he’s clearly ‘caught up," in fact exceeded vast majority of his peers. I believe this will be seen as a major accomplishment, and I don’t think it will be a significant setback if his English/reading scores are somewhat lower than other kids’ in that bracket.</p>

5

<p>Thanks you all for the reply </p>

<p>@MYOS1634 why is it only English and not including reading?
@b@r!um that’s one of the possibilities that seems accurate but I do not know which possibilities is the correct one.
@katliamom that’s one of the possibilities that seems right too and I’m hoping it to be correct. But I’m not sure neither…</p>

6

<p>So, for example, I got a 30 comp on my first ACT practice test (E28 M35 R24 S34) and certain that I can improve this score by 1-4 points.
Which schools should I aim for?</p>

7

<p>You should aim for highly selective schools. If you can score above 30+ on ACT, you will have a chance for getting into a top college.</p>

8

<p>Thanks for the advice, Mishing</p>

9

<p>

3 years as of now, but he has only completed his sophomore year. It will be 5 years by the end of high school.</p>