Just how bad is a 31 ACT

This is, by a considerable degree, the weakest point in my application. I took it once, quite a long time ago and just left it be. I am an international student applying from the UK, and have stellar A-level predictions which I hope to make up for the weak score.

I could take the Oct ACT/ Nov ACT and still send it in in time for ED deadline, however, given that I will be directing my focus on the TSA test for Oxford, I will not have much time at all to revise.

So, if the rest of my application is strong, will I still be competitive? Or, whilst not sufficient, is it still a necessary condition to have a 34+ ACT (or equivalent SAT)- in order to be competitive at Penn as an international applicant?

Thank you.

Is it necessary? No. Your application will not be sent to the shredder. But the reality? The overall acceptance rate is 9%. The international acceptance rate is probably closer to 4-5%. A 31 ACT is below the 25th percentile, so that probably brings you down to a 2% chance, at best.

Thank you-

hi-current freshman at Penn here. a 31 act is not bad by any means. there is someone in my hall who got a 31 on his act and is doing great here. he is not an international student so I can’t speak to that aspect but a 31 will not drastically hurt your chances.

@erinward19 U Penn or Penn State?

OP, for what it’s worth. My kids attend a solid suburban public HS that typically sends 5-10 grads to Ivy League Level schools every year. Looking at Naviance, two grads have gotten into Penn in the past three years. One, had a 35 ACT (with a high GPA) and the other had a 33 (with a fairly high GPA). The kid who got a 33 had a hook.

As for those rejected with ACTs of 31 or higher: One had a 36 ACT with a very high GPA. Four were rejected with 34 ACT (three of those had high GPAs). One was rejected with a 33 ACT (with a very high GPA). Two were rejected with 32 ACT (relatively low GPAs). One was rejected with a 31 ACT (with a high GPA).

Naviance doesn’t tell the full story because it doesn’t take into account EC’s, essays, or recommendations. Still, this should give you some sense as to how difficult it is to get into a school like Penn. In any event, I wish you luck and from the sounds of it, it seems you will be a success wherever you end up.

@erinward19 is that someone with the 31 by chance a recruited athlete?

Thank you all for insights!

After some thinking, I’ve decided I’ll leave Penn for RD and take the ACT/SAT in Nov/Dec.

I think the 31 might may just be enough, but in the early round with other uber-competitive applicants, I feel it won’t be. And I think I’d rather use my EA/ED boost at a school (there are a few I like equally as much as Penn) where test scores are less important, and where I’d be borderline RD, and so likely ED.

Thanks again.

Sounds like a good strategy.

A 31 is by no means “bad”. It is a solid ACT. However, it sounds like you are aware that Penn is one of those “reach for almost everybody” type of schools, so I think the strategy you described above is a good plan.

Good luck!