It depends on the college or university’s admission requirements and policies. Some institutions may require ACT scores for admission, while others may have a test-optional policy.
For those who require additional information
The decision to submit ACT scores as part of the college application process ultimately depends on the specific admission requirements and policies of each institution. While some colleges and universities may require ACT scores, others have adopted a test-optional policy, which allows applicants to choose whether or not to submit test scores. This policy is often aimed at encouraging a more diverse pool of applicants, as standardized tests like the ACT have been criticized for perpetuating inequities in the college admissions process.
According to the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), more than 1,000 colleges and universities in the United States currently have a test-optional policy, and that number is continuing to grow. However, it’s important to note that the policies and requirements can vary widely among different institutions.
When considering whether or not to submit ACT scores, it’s worth researching the admission policies of the specific colleges or universities you are interested in attending. Some schools may have a specific score threshold that applicants must meet or exceed in order to be considered for admission, while others may simply request scores as part of a holistic review process.
As with any aspect of the college application process, it’s important to stay organized and up-to-date on the requirements and policies of each institution. Creating a spreadsheet or table to keep track of each school’s ACT score requirements and deadlines can be helpful in ensuring that you don’t miss any important information.
In the words of former U.S. Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan, “At the end of the day, the most important thing for college admissions is who students are as people.” While ACT scores may be one factor in the admissions process, they do not define an applicant’s worth or potential for success.
Here is an example table of some colleges and universities with test-optional policies:
| College/University | Test-Optional Policy |
|---|---|
| University of Chicago | Yes |
| Bowdoin College | Yes |
| Hamilton College | Yes |
| Wake Forest University | Yes |
| Worcester Polytechnic Institute | Yes |
| Bates College | Yes |
| Brandeis University | Yes |
| American University | Yes |
| Temple University | Yes |
| Villanova University | Yes |
See a video about the subject
The video teaches how to send ACT scores; for individual scores, students need to click “send this score”, select a category, choose the state, and add it to the cart, and for super score, the best score is automatically selected, but some schools may not accept it, with a cost of $16 per testing date per school. Self-reporting ACT and SAT scores is allowed on the Common App and Coalition Application, and students can self-report their highest scores and send scores later to save money.
See additional response choices
Many colleges still require you to send either SAT scores or ACT scores as part of your application. But colleges differ on how they handle multiple sets of scores, such as two sets of ACT scores.
If a university claims they are “test optional,” applicants can send in their standardized (SAT or ACT) test scores for consideration with their application. However, they are not required to send in their standardized test scores. If scores are not sent, the school simply bases their admission decision off the rest of the application. If you’re applying to highly selective test-optional colleges (i.e., schools with an acceptance rate below 30%) and you earned SAT/ACT scores in the schools’ middle 50% ranges (or higher), you should strongly consider submitting your scores to maximize your chances of getting admitted.
If a university claims they are “test optional,” applicants can send in their standardized (SAT or ACT) test scores for consideration with their application. However, they are not required to send in their standardized test scores. If scores are not sent, the school simply bases their admission decision off the rest of the application.
If you’re applying to highly selective test-optional colleges (i.e., schools with an acceptance rate below 30%) and you earned SAT/ACT scores in the schools’ middle 50% ranges (or higher), you should strongly consider submitting your scores to maximize your chances of getting admitted.
People also ask
Is it OK not to submit an ACT score?
Some test-optional schools still require SAT/ACT scores for merit-based aid. If you’re applying for any merit-based scholarships, check with each school directly about this — omitting these scores may exclude you from or put you at a disadvantage for prizes.
Will not submitting ACT scores hurt?
Response: However, in terms of colleges penalizing applicants for not submitting scores, no. They don’t do that. Applying test-optional doesn’t hurt your chances if you’ve got an outstanding application and are as strong or stronger than the other applicants.
Do colleges really care about ACT scores?
Answer will be: Scores May Determine Placement in College Classes
So some colleges use scores to place students in classes that are at the right level for them. SAT and ACT scores can also be used to identify students who may benefit from specific advisors or academic support in college.
Does ACT report cheating to colleges?
Response to this: Did You Actually Cheat? Here’s What Will Happen and What You Can Do. Even if you did actually cheat, the College Board and ACT won’t tell colleges you’re a cheater or ban you from retesting. If you’re caught at the testing center, your test will be confiscated, and your score will be canceled if you finished your test.
How much does it cost to send ACT Scores to Colleges?
Answer: As of June 2022, ACT Inc. charges $16 to send a single ACT score report or ACT superscore to one college or scholarship program. Those who took the ACT before Sept. 1, 2019, must pay $43 per ACT score report. You can pay with any major credit card and store payment information on your account.
How do you send your ACT scores to colleges?
The response is: You can send your ACT scores to colleges several different ways, but the easiest way is to order score reports through your ACT web account. Click on the link that says “Send Your Scores” in your account homepage. You will get something that looks like this, with more dates listed if you took the ACT more than once:
Do all colleges require ACT scores?
Most universities and colleges require you to send the ACT score report that includes only the best results. Each facility has its priorities and requirements, which can be found on their websites or inquired about directly. In most cases, the golden rule to a successful application is to be in the best 25%.
Can you send your ACT superscore to colleges?
Response: You can send ACT scores to colleges, scholarship agencies, and high schools. Score reports cannot be sent to friends, family, tutoring companies, or any other organizations.
How much does it cost to send ACT Scores to Colleges?
As of June 2022, ACT Inc. charges $16 to send a single ACT score report or ACT superscore to one college or scholarship program. Those who took the ACT before Sept. 1, 2019, must pay $43 per ACT score report. You can pay with any major credit card and store payment information on your account.
How do you send your ACT scores to colleges?
As a response to this: You can send your ACT scores to colleges several different ways, but the easiest way is to order score reports through your ACT web account. Click on the link that says “Send Your Scores” in your account homepage. You will get something that looks like this, with more dates listed if you took the ACT more than once:
Do all colleges require ACT scores?
Most universities and colleges require you to send the ACT score report that includes only the best results. Each facility has its priorities and requirements, which can be found on their websites or inquired about directly. In most cases, the golden rule to a successful application is to be in the best 25%.
Can you send your ACT superscore to colleges?
You can send ACT scores to colleges, scholarship agencies, and high schools. Score reports cannot be sent to friends, family, tutoring companies, or any other organizations.