JHU- Test scores? (Early Decision)

So there’s no denying that JHU is a very competitive school (even though their ED has one of the higher acceptance rates when compared to other top schools) but every time I go on college confidential, users are literally spitting on kids who have a 32 ACT or a SAT score of around 2100-2190 (low 1400s on new SAT). If you look at the official acceptance thread from last year, there are a handful of kids who got 32s on their ACTs who also got accepted. I know that with the atmosphere getting more and more competitive every year, test scores have been becoming more and more important. But as the saying goes, test scores aren’t everything.

My point is, is a 32 as bad as college confidential paints it to be? and don’t colleges take into consideration location? (i.e. if you live in a poorer neighborhood (and have a lower income) you can’t afford SAT prep or other courses that would get you higher test scores) is that a myth? If everyone around me is dirt poor (including myself) and also scoring relatively low on tests, do admissions gauge those situations differently? is it a case by case basis?

yes i did get a 32 ok
but I genuinely want to know how “bad” it is, because in the context of my community, a 32 is a stellar score and actually very impressive.

this doesn’t just apply to JHU I think that this is a valid question that can be posed to many other schools.

THOUGHTS?
(grill me if u want ~O) )

32 is a great score! And yes, you’re right in saying that many CC members “spit” on kids with a 32. For many top colleges, a 32 will put you in the 50th percentile (schools like Brown, Penn, Dartmouth, etc.). I got a 32 my first time, and now have a super score of 34. Trust me, a 32 will not get you an outright rejection from any school. Colleges do take into consideration your income (although many are need blind so they only know if you plan to apply for FA).

I talked to a Stanford rep about this, and she told me that they put applicants into three piles: a yes, maybe, and no pile. Having a 32 will get you into the maybe pile (even at Stanford). This is when the rest of your app, your essay, ECs, and supplements, come into play. That’s when the decision will be made. It won’t be made because of your test score.