Should I Send My ACT Scores To Colleges?

When It Makes Sense

• Good fit: Your target colleges require or strongly recommend standardized test scores, and your ACT composite is at or above the middle 50% range for admitted students. In this scenario, submitting the score provides a concrete measure of academic ability that can reinforce your GPA and coursework.
• Good fit: You are applying early decision or early action, and the deadline for submitting test scores is approaching. Early submission ensures the admissions office has a complete file, avoiding administrative delays that could affect your candidacy.

When You Should Avoid It

• Warning sign: Your ACT score falls significantly below the average for the schools you are targeting, and you have a strong academic record, compelling extracurriculars, and compelling essays. In such cases, the score could dilute a otherwise competitive profile.
• Warning sign: The colleges you are applying to have adopted a test‑optional or test‑blind policy for the current admissions cycle. Sending scores is optional, and opting out may prevent unnecessary scrutiny of a lower score.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Provides a standardized benchmark that can help admissions committees compare applicants from diverse high schools.
• If the score is strong, it can offset a lower GPA, fill gaps in coursework, or qualify you for merit‑based scholarships that use test scores as criteria.

Cons

• A low or average score may draw attention to a perceived weakness, especially if other parts of your application are strong.
• Sending scores often incurs a fee for each report and may take several weeks to reach the institution, potentially delaying review if deadlines are tight.

Decision Checklist

• Do the colleges you are applying to require or recommend ACT scores for admission or scholarship eligibility?
• Is your ACT composite at or above the typical range for admitted students at those institutions?
• Will sending the score add cost or delay that could affect your application timeline?

Alternatives to Consider

If your score is modest, you can opt for test‑optional submission, focus on improving other aspects of your application, or consider retaking the ACT if enough time remains before deadlines. Some schools also accept SAT scores or a combination of coursework, AP/IB results, and strong recommendations as evidence of academic readiness.

Final Recommendation

Send your ACT scores when they meet or exceed the typical range for your target schools, when the institutions explicitly request them, or when you need the scores for scholarship eligibility. If the scores are below that range and the schools are test‑optional, it is usually safer to withhold them and let other strengths carry your application. For high‑stakes decisions, especially involving scholarship funding, consult with your school counselor or an admissions adviser to ensure your choice aligns with your overall strategy.