I have a 32 on my ACT (I have only taken it once) and was wondering if getting it up to a 33 or 34 would noticeably improve my chances at highly competitive schools like Yale, Bowdoin, CMC, and Brown. And is it true that my 32 is at least enough to qualify me? I know it may not be enough to stand out.
You’ll hear all sorts of things around here. The truth is, there’s no magic formula. The rest of your application matters, too. A kid with a 34 ACT and no ECs could get rejected while a kid with a 30 ACT with great ECs is accepted. Once you’re talking about the tippy-top schools like Yale and Brown, there’s such an abundance of qualified applicants that no matter what, if you have the qualifications too, it is a crapshoot. They accept 32s.
When you’re talking about ivy league schools like Yale I would argue that a 32 --> 34 would increase your chances a good amount. Most students applying to ivy league schools already have a top notch GPA and top test scores already yet most get rejected.
You need a near perfect GPA, and near perfect SAT score to be realistically considered. What separates you from the other applicants with near perfect GPAs and near perfect SAT scores is the depth of your application. You really gotta stand out when it comes to your EC’s and essays.
These schools reject students with perfect scores, so scores aren’t that important once you make a certain threshold.
I’d focus your energy on writing a memorable essay.
Your application won’t be tossed out based on a 32 ACT - that is within the mid-50% range for all the schools you posted except for Bowdoin which is test-optional and so doesn’t report. You should focus on strengthening other aspects of your application at this time.