The problem is that Trinity tends to get the athletes, the special admits that do not have to have as high ACTs, SATs. The engineering school gets the serious students, even in the lower 25%. There’s a lot of self selection.
Trinity is tough. That test score is going to be a problem there. I know a double legacy who got turned down with 36 ACTs last year, tough prep school and grades that were good. Parents very upset. I don’t know anyone who applied to Pratt so I can’t comment on it, though I know the process there is a bit more holistic in terms of grades and test scores. They do not get as many hooked students- and that’s typical of selective engineering schools that are part of a top college. I have Naviance data for my son’s school and DUke, and though the ACT range might be 31-34, there aren’t many with even 34 getting in there. Duke was on my son’s list and would have been a very high reach even with test scores in the top 25% and a 4.0.