Hi!
So I want to attend a school in the States (aiming for UMichigan Ann Arbor any my goal/dream is Upenn). I have a 33 ACT Composite Score, I know that isn’t the BEST score out there, but is that still good for a New Zealand international student or is that pretty low? I have really good extracurriculars and GPA so JUST taking the ACT score into account, is it okay for schools like UMichigan and reach schools like Upenn?
Thanks!
Depends on what kind if school you go to. Is it private and is sitting standardized testing to apply to the US common at your school? Are you from a low socio economic background? If yes, your ACT matters less. Not sure about Michigan but it’s alright for UPenn. Could have been higher but admission is hard to predict, so it might just be enough. Good luck.
It’s good. Now build a list of colleges with acceptance rate 30% and below, 31-45%, and more than 45%. In particular, look at LACs.
@AmericaAbroad
I go to a private school in New Zealand. Should i retake the ACT? I really don’t want to.
NO, don’t retake the ACT. You may want to take a couple Subject Tests.
Are you applying as class of 2020? Because in NZ ACT is no longer available for sitting before RD closes. You must be applying for class of 2021. I have friends applying from NZ with ACT of 35/34 which is not a huge jump from 33 so you should be fine. They are schooling in Auckland, what school do you come from? 
And yes, take subject tests and work on original, thought provoking essays.
If you come from a good school in NZ then I think you have that shot. Support your application with some more subject test like what @MYOS1634 suggested.