I did a bit a research and found that if you score a 30 or higher on the ACT, your in the top 5% of test takers. In the last month, I’ve visited a ton of colleges because I’m a current Junior. All the colleges had a midrange ACT score of mid 30s. How do they all have a range so high, when very little students actually score that high. I know it might seem like a dumb question, but it’s so heartbreaking when you’re not a good test taker. I received a 29 on the ACT. I’m retaking in June, but I’ll have a boatload of pressure. Any thought?
Visit less selective colleges. Presumably there are search engines for schools where you would be in the top 25%.
There are around 1% of students getting 33+ in ACT. While there are over 3000 colleges. If you are looking at the top 30 schools, they are the top 1% schools.
@billcsho hit it.
You gotta also remember that as the rank gets better, the quality of the students who apply also improves a ton. It’s rare to see a sub-25 ACT in an MIT applicant pool versus in an obscure, unranked regional college.
You are apparently looking at elite colleges where the chances of being admitted are low for all applicants. The chances would be even lower for you with a 29 ACT. You should consider these schools high reaches or out of reach. There are thousands of less selective, less prestigious schools that will accept you.
Also, not being a “good test taker” is not an excuse.
No, but that’s the thing. I went to a good amount to non-elite schools (private and state), yet their ACT score ranges were ridiculous high. I also didn’t mean to make it seem like I was using “a bad test taker” as an excuse either. I was simply putting it out there. I’ve very good grades (4.0 GPA), but always seem to lack behind in all standardize tests because I never feel confident. Thanks for the reply however.
Are the ranges representative of the applicants, the accepted students or the admitted students? It might make a difference.
Your pretty much at the 50%ile for Ohio State. http://oaa.osu.edu/irp/publisher_surveys/Common%20Data%20Set%202014_15%20OSU%20Columbus.pdf
@JackLuzzy
Make sure you’re looking at the scores for enrolled rather than admitted students. The former are usually lower than the latter.
The ranges will be high for test-optional colleges, also, because lower-scoring students won’t have submitted their scores.
What state do you live in? What colleges did you visit?
Colleges with averages in the 30+ tend to be in the “most selective” and “highly selective” categories.
THere are literally hundreds of excellent colleges for someone with a 29 (or 30), and many colleges will even give you money. For example, if you score 30 and want to major in CS or engineering, the University of Alabama will garantee you Honors College, Honors Dorm, priority registration, and a full tuition scholarship.
Reiterate what @jym626 and @AlbionGirl say. Schools like to cast themselves in the best light and often advertise admitted scores instead of enrolled class scores. Every college wants top students but not everyone gets them, so expect the discrepancy to be higher for less competitive schools.
For example, look at the mid 50th percentile ACT composite ranges for applicants, admits and enrolled students (http://www.admissions.ucla.edu/prospect/adm_fr/Frosh_Prof14.htm):
ACT Composite
- Applicants: 24-31
- Admitted: 28-34
- Enrolled: 26-32
Your 29 might appear weak based on the admitted range, but right in the middle of the pack based on the actual enrolled class.