Ok, I know this might seem ridiculous to some, but I’m so upset. I have a 4.0 GPA, am class rank 1, but my ACT score vitally lacks. My compositor is a 29, with a 32 super score (33,28,32,33). Almost all the schools I was aiming for are completely out of reach. I’m honestly freaking out. I don’t want to go to some small college within 20-30 miles of me. Quite honestly, I’ve always viewed myself as going to a really recognized school. Everyone of my family members and friends expect that from me. Unfortunately, that’s clearly not happening. Many of you are probably reading this with disgust. I’m not asking for comfort, but I have no idea what to do!
Hey it’s not the end of the world! Your grades and rank are stellar, and I’m sure you have good ECs. There are literallyTHOUSANDS of colleges. You won’t be restricted to going one 30miles away. You still have a lot of options! A 32 is still a great score and will get you into a lot of prestigious schools! Plus the Ivies and other hoity toity schools like that are overrated. You can get just as good of an education at a slightly less prestigious school as long as you apply yourself! It doesn’t always matter where you go, but rather, how hard you work!
Plus you could probably get a full ride/ a lot of money at a lot of places! And that’s something to be proud of! It’ll all work out, don’t worry.
@JeanJacket123 Hey, thanks. Reading my post back, it seemed a bit selfish. I was having a bit of a breakdown. Of course, I realize I can get into other schools. It’s just I’m trying to focus on enginnerring. I’ve never really looked into any “non prestigious” enginnerring. From the start, I’ve set my sights really high. So far, I’ve only toward schools who have an average ACT of 33+. Every time they mention that, I cry a little on the inside :/. I guess I’ll have to readjust my view. Hopefully, I can secure a position in Wisconsin, Madison.
If you don’t get over this, you’re going to be very upset come May 1st, senior year. Even if you achieve the test scores, there is no guarantee that you will get in ANYWHERE unless you add some safeties and matches–which, sorry, won’t all be “really recognized”–to your list.
@JackLuzzy No problem! I know it’s really stressful! I have similar stats to you (but 2nd in class, and my first SAT equates to a 29, I’ll take a second time in Oct), so I know the desire for a well known school. Plus it doesn’t help when everyone in your class expects you to go some super prestigious place.
Yeah when I started the college search I would find schools and my family would say, “you can do better!” So I looked at more prestigious ones, but I would need merit aid to go there! And it’s so competitive the more selective you go, so now I have to scale back! Sigh! It’s a tough pill to swallow.
And hey, standardized tests aren’t everything! I know a lot of kids who had well below average SATs and they not only got into some decent schools, but got money! I think you might end up being pleasantly surprised with your future admission results! Hopefully I am too! Good luck! 
Oh and if you can go to schools in PA, you have a great chance at Lehigh and Lafayette - 2 great engineering schools!
What schools are you looking at? While some top colleges will superscore the ACT, many won’t, and so it might be to your benefit to either retake it or try the SAT. You’re obviously intelligent and driven, and I’m sure you know your scores are really good, but I definitely understand the stress over getting scores that are really great, but not phenomenal. I’m sure everything will work out for you; your profile is good and it won’t be ruined by ACT scores slightly lower than that average at top-tier schools, especially if you apply to places that do superscore the ACT. Good luck!
You can always retake! And don’t sweat it, test scores are only one part of a very complex admissions process.
But I would definitely second what other people have already said- make sure you apply to match and safety schools, and pick some that are far away if that’s what you want! Purdue and Auburn are just two schools that have above 50% acceptance rates, and you scores are just about the 75th percentile there.